1. Examples of ideas for the training
2008 - AS022
Repelling sharks through the magnetic stimulation of the ampullae of lorenzini
Brooks Daniel Ruder
Keystone Upper School, San Antonio, TX
People have long searched for safe, reliable ways to repel sharks from beaches and commercial fisheries.
Repellants are often harmful or fatal to sharks. This project’s goal was to move towards creating diving and
fishing gear with magnetic properties that repel sharks by utilizing their ampullae of Lorenzini. This project
examined the reaction of Whitespotted Bamboo Sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) to high strength neodymium
iron boron magnets (NIBMs) in both territorial and feeding situations. Because these sharks hide in tubes, two
types of tubes (magnetic and non-magnetic) were placed in the shark pools. The number of times the shark
swam into each tube was recorded. To simulate a feeding situation, dishes with or without magnets were
placed in a feeding apparatus with four pieces of food. It was hypothesized that in both situations, the NIBMs
would slow, if not completely stop, feeding or territorial behavior. In both tests, one shark was never tested with
magnets as a control. The sharks swam into the non- magnetic tubes 286 times, and the magnetic tubes 31
times. The probability of this happening by chance is less than 0.0001%. The feeding test data appears
inconclusive, although there may be a small deterrent effect. In conclusion, NIBMs strongly repel sharks in
territorial, although not in feeding, situations. If strong magnetic fields can repel sharks, the goal is to eventually
incorporate magnets into aquatic activity gear as a repellent, which could provide a cheap and strong barrier to
recreational divers, sport fishermen, and tribal fishermen alike.
Awards won at the 2008 ISEF
Fourth Award of $500 - Animal Sciences - Presented by
Third Award of $1,000 - United States Coast Guard
2010 - AS304
How beach sediment composition and tide level affect the size and age distribution of butter
clams (saxidomus giganteus)
Auriel Catherine Clark, Lindsay Clark,
Juneau-Douglas High School, Juneau, AK
Beach elevations between 2.0 feet and -4.0 feet at Middle Point, near Juneau, Alaska were sampled
to determine how beach sediment composition and tide levels affect the size and age distribution of
butter clams. Butter clams found in each sampling quadrate were counted and saved for later
measurements of size, weight, and age. Sediment samples were also collected to determine
substrate size composition by sieving through graduated screens. Statistical analysis showed that
there are significant differences in age composition and sizes of butter clams from different tide
levels, but no significant difference in age or size composition by sediment composition. However,
there are small though statistically insignificant decreases in average age and increases in
abundance with increasing percent of sediment less than 500 microns. The results also indicated that
butter clams are most abundant between -3 and 0 feet in tidal elevation with the highest abundance
at -1.0 feet. The oldest clams were found at 0 feet tide level with an average age of 25.3 years. The
youngest clams were found at tide levels -3 and + 2 feet. The survey method developed for this study

2. and the suite of data selected for collection and analysis could be used to determine age and size
structures, year class strengths as indicators of recruitment events, relative abundance, and habitat
requirements for other species of clams. These data are essential for development of strategies for
sustainable harvest and culture of this resource. One surprising finding of our study was that many
butter clams are far older than maximum ages previously reported in the literature. This may result in
more conservative harvest guidelines in the future for this species than would otherwise have been
prescribed.
2005 - BO014
The use of seaweed compost as an organic fertilizer
Augusto Raul Perez
Colegio San Jose, San Juan, Puerto Rico
ABSTRACT:<br><br>In this research seaweeds were used as organic fertilizer. A total of six cubic feet of dry
seaweeds were collected from Pinones Beach in Carolina, Puerto Rico. To produce the seaweed compost, a
process of microbiological decomposition was used. They were washed with water, exposed to the sun until
dried, and shredded in small pieces. Three plants were used in the experiment: Kidney Beans (A) (Phaseolus
Vulgaris), Coriander (B) (Coriandrum Sativum) and Basil(C) (Ocimum Basilicum). Three soil types were used.
First, Common backyard soil, was used as control. Second, the control soil was mixed with a commercial
fertilizer whose chemical composition is known and finally the control soil mixed with the seaweed manure.
Twenty seven plants were used. The plants were placed on a backyard. Twelve of the twenty seven plants
germinated. In groups 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C), plantations using clay soil (control), did not sprout. Also, the Kidney
beans did not germinated in any of the three soils. First, with a minimum time and effort (eighty days of
composting), the seaweeds released enough nutrients which promoted the growth of basil and coriander
plants. Second, it was scientifically demonstrated that the only cause for the plant growth in groups 3(B) and
3(C) was the nutrients released from the seaweed compost. Results encourage future investigations, which
could lead to proving scientifically the utility of using seaweed compost, and thus the opportunity of converting
a nuisance to public beaches into a solution to the need of an ecological use of farmlands.<br><br>
Awards won at the 2005 ISEF
Second Award of $500 - American Society for Horticultural Science
2004 - EA052
Driving on the beach: a comparison of total petroleum hydrocarbon levels
Cristina Theresa White
Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, FL, USA
The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the sand from beaches with vehicular traffic have more
total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) than sand from beaches without traffic. Fifty-one samples of beach sand
were analyzed from the high tide zone on contiguous beaches that either allow driving or do not allow driving.
Samples were obtained from the surface, 5cm below the surface, and 12cm below the surface. TPH was
extracted from 10 grams of beach sand per sample with 10 mL of methanol. The resulting solution was filtered
and evaluated using a field UF Fluorometer calibrated to EPA standards. The total average TPH on the areas
with cars was 2.58 parts per million (ppm) while the total average on the areas without cars was 0.636 ppm.
There are 303% more TPH on the areas with cars. The average TPH at the surface with cars was 5.31 ppm
where the surface without cars was 0.692 ppm. There are 667% more TPH on the surface where cars are

3. allowed. The differences were statistically different using the t-statistic evaluated at p< 0.05. Organic
compounds and phosphates were also tested, and there were higher concentrations of both where cars were
allowed. The amount of hydrocarbons found on both beaches is very small. What is significant is that there is a
detectable difference between the two beaches. Driving on the beach appears to have a significant effect on
the total TPH, organic compounds, and phosphates found in the sand and washing out into the ocean.
Awards won at the 2004 ISEF
Third Award of $1,000 - Earth and Space Sciences - Presented by Intel Foundation
Award of Merit of $250 - Society of Exploration Geophysicists
2003 - EA301
The wave machine: an assay determining how bottom composition and contour affect wave height and
wave period and its correlation to beach erosion
Joshua William Schadow, Brady Robert Bigalke
Edgewater High School, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
There are no two waves that are exactly comparable. Waves consist of many elements and have been
examined by Marine Scientists and Geophysists. Our investigations tested which ocean bottom compositions
and ocean bottom contours would create the least benign wave for coastal shorelines. This information will be
used to make correlations to effects of the waves that are created to beach erosion.<br><br> <br><br> An 8-
foot x 2-foot x 1-foot tank was constructed out of plexi glass, steel, and wood. The reservoir was constructed
from the same materials and also included a plastic sink and cement. The reservoir was 2-feet x 2-feet x 1 1/2
–feet. After it was built, we sealed and filled it with water. The reservoir was used to create waves by releasing
the water and then letting the water accelerate through opening in the reservoir. When first tested a wave was
created with success and experimentations began.<br><br> The diverse bottom compositions tested; included
sand, debris and rocks. After 30 trials of experimentation with different compositions, the results concluded
debris created the largest wave with an average of 5.7”. It is believed that the debris created the largest wave
because debris had the densest materials when compared with rocks and sand.<br><br> The bottom contours
tested included different sandbar locations and a beach. After 40 trials in the tank using different contours, the
largest wave was created with the sandbar placed towards the front of the tank at a height of 4.65”.<br><br>
<br><br>
2008 - EE052
Can a smaller mechanism be developed to sift sandy areas?
Kyla Elizabeth DeWees
Westside High School, Macon, GA
On beaches all around the world people are in danger of stepping on harmful debris when they are walking to
the shore on small sandy paths. The debris left on these paths and other areas, such as children's
playgrounds, can be harmful to the public. I have had personal experience with stepping on dangerous debris
so I wanted to address the problem of not having a smaller sand cleaning mechanism on the market. I have
developed a sifting mechanism that will clean up debris in the small areas that large machines cannot reach.
This mechanism uses a timing belt with a series of 1/4" hardware cloth scoops that are 6 inches wide. These
scoops can pick up a large variety of debris that present potential health and safety hazards to the public. The
timing belt system includes a hand crank that is mounted on a stationary frame made of 3/4" PVC pipe. The
sifting mechanism has 6 inches of working space and can fit into small areas that cannot be reached by larger
machines. The mechanism I have developed is stationary but I hope to one day develop it into a moving
product in order to make small sandy areas cleaner and safer for the public.

4. 2009 - EM010
A hairy situation
Sarah Ida Tedesco
Bradenton Preparatory Academy, Bradenton, FL
The purpose of this project was to discover an affordable, biodegradable material that will efficiently absorb
crude motor oil in an oil spill situation. I tested human hair, witch hazel, pine shavings, and organic
biodegradable cat litter. I contacted an oil waste company to dispose of my oil. <br><br> I took large, plastic
containers and filled the bottom with sand from the beach. I added shells and seaweed to replicate an oceanic
habitat. I placed ten quarts of salt water from the gulf. I covered the oceanic habitat with one cup of crude
motor oil. I covered the oil with one of the selected biodegradable materials. I conducted three trials for all four
of the subjects using two different distillation methods. I used both a skimming method and a funneling system
to measure the amount of crude oil that the specified material had absorbed. <br><br> The human hair was
the most absorbent material. The hair made the oily oceanic water clear for two of the three trials for each
distillation method. I took my results and tried to come up with a plausible way to use my material. That gave
me the idea of creating a net made of nylon and human hair to act as a sponge.<br><br> My original
hypothesis of human hair absorbing the most oil was correct. The hairy net on a larger scale could be the
perfect clean up method for a surface oil spill.
Awards won at the 2009 ISEF
First Award of $1,000 and a plaque - American Veterinary Medical Association
Fourth Award of $500 - Environmental Management - Presented by Intel
2010 - EM310
Determining the best geological makeup of sand for man-made beaches
Kaela Renee Stender, Caitlyn Smith,
Edward Clark High School, Las Vegas, NV
The purpose of this project was to determine which sand would be best to use when constructing
man-made beaches. Sand from man-made beaches has been known to run-off, covering nearby
coral reefs and ultimately killing them. “Best” in terms of the project is geological substances that
produce the least displacement, thereby saving coral reefs. <br><br>A wave generator was designed
for this project. Each sample of sand was mixed with water, and weighed for a starting point. Then 15
waves were manually generated with two second intervals. Visual and weight displacements were
recorded. Between each trial the mechanism was rinsed and dried. Trials were repeated three times
per sand type.<br><br>Visual and weight displacement data was then gathered and averaged for
each sand type. The sand from Sunset Beach in California was the best, producing a 0.5 oz average
mass displacement and a 4.33 cm average visual displacement, the least amount of each type. The
sand from Siesta Key Beach in Florida was the worst, producing a 2.067 oz average mass
displacement and a 16 cm average visual displacement, the most of both types of displacement.
<br><br>To avoid killing off coral reefs when constructing beaches, it would be helpful to know which
type of sand produces the least displacement therefore protecting the marine environment around the
beach.

5. 2010 - EV327
Global information system and global positioning system in reducing endangerment of
dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtles) nesting habitats in st. Croix, vi
Mendrell Symphorien, Jaleel Benjamin, Stephanie Rhoden
St. Croix Educational Complex, Kingshill, St. Croix, VIRGIN ISLANDS
Endangered Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Sea Turtles) have been tracked and studied on St.
Croix, Virgin Islands for over 26 years. Nesting is prevalent on two beaches on the island. As it is their
nesting medium; sand grain size, vegetation and crest were studied as a possible factor affecting
Leatherback nesting trends on St. Croix beaches. Leatherback turtles have been classified
endangered since 1980 with a decline in the population from approximately 43,000 to 26,000 nesting
females annually, compared to 115,000, (Federal Register, 1999).<br><br>This project investigated,
using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning the nesting habitats of
Leatherback Sea Turtles in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Using sieve analysis, sand samples were studied
from vegetation lines, crests and water lines from over 49 beaches on St. Croix with 147 samples.
Sand was collected; dried through high voltage heating and sifted using a sieve shaker measured in
micro meters. Comparisons were made on sand quality from vegetation line, beach crest and water
line on each of the 49 beaches studied. Results of this investigation indicated that Dermochelys
coriecea (Leatherback Turtles) prefer certain sand quality for nesting. Determinations were based
coarse grain size, color, texture, vegetation and water line. Using the GIS and the GPS systems,
nesting areas can be predicted, marked and protected from elements that are commonly associated
with nesting disturbances. <br><br>Further studies are needed to determine how area mapping can
be used to increase the endangered population of the Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriecea)
2006 - EA303
Hurricanes forces of nature
Daniel O. Caballero, Laura Torres
James Pace High School, Brownsville Tx., United States.
The purpose of this experiment is to prove how salinity of water might have a direct effect on formation of
hurricanes by experimentation, recreating weather conditions during this phenomenon on a hurricane
generator box with a control variable known as normal sea water first used on its original form and then diluted
with tap water recreating the polar cap melting occurring on the poles, proving that because of the changes in
weather, the water composition around the globe has changed therefore, during this year a much higher rate of
hurricane formation than previous years generating them at a faster rate, and every time stronger than the
previous. The salt water without changes created a mini hurricane at a slower rate than the controlled
experiment of sea water diluted with tap water, and besides of taking less time the hurricane cloud was ticker
because the evaporation rate was faster during the controlled experiment proving that with a less salty
composition of water not only hurricanes can form faster but they also grow stronger causing a season of
hurricanes this year incredibly active and dangerous