School News
PPCMS - Central Campus Students Win Top Ribbons at Science Fair By Debby Teich
M
iddle school students at the
Pembroke Pines Charter School Central Campus developed a variety of projects for the Annual Broward County Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Several of them captured the attention of judges, including Jayvyn Dacas, who had an opportunity to compete at the State Science and Engineering Fair Competition in Tampa. “Science fairs increase the students’ awareness of problems in their community and give them an opportunity to find solutions to these problems,” said Piper Spencer, middle school science teacher. “Science fairs also provide an opportunity for students to display their scientific talent and to receive recognition for their achievements.” Approximately 50 students participated in the school Science Fair. Most of them are in the 6th grade Advanced Science classes. Ten of these students were selected to compete at the district fair and eight of them were awarded ribbons that ranged from first to fourth place. The list of winners includes: ▸▸ 1st Place: Jayvyn Dacas, Wind Turbine Generator Designs ▸▸ 2nd Place: David Adams, Sunburned Plants ▸▸ 2nd Place: Juan Marin, Does Gatoraid, Sea Water, or Salt Water Generate the Most Electricity? ▸▸ 3rd Place: Bianca Greydinger, Reflective Film and Solar Ovens
▸▸ 4th Place: Saaketh Vedantam, Power Up With Ocean Tides! ▸▸ 4th Place: Grace Rodriguez, How to Make a Mechanical Hand ▸▸ 4th Place: Thierry Denis, What Helps Plants Grow Faster? ▸▸ 4th Place: Giavanna DiFide, Water Bottle Insulation For Jayvyn Dacas’ project, he built a wind turbine generator. He made three different turbine blade designs and tested them to determine which blades Science fair participants included (l to r): Feliciah Fitz-Henley, Saaketh Vedantam, Thierry Denis, Jayvyn Dacas, Grace Rodriguez, Sydni Peters, produced the most energy for the same Juan Marin, David Adams, Bianca Greydinger, and Giavanna DiFede. amount of wind. David Adams tested the effectiveness of sunscreens by applying them to household plants. He measured the effectiveness by the effect of the sunscreen on chlorophyll production. Juan Marin built three batteries with Gatorade, natural salt water, and salt water made with iodized salt. After measuring the maximum voltage produced, he determined that the battery made with the iodized salt generated the highest voltage. Bianca Greydinger built two identical solar ovens and placed a protective film over the top of one of them. After measuring the maximum temperature produced by each solar oven, she determined that the oven without Juan Marin, Jayvyn Dacas and David Adams proudly display their certificates. the protective film generated a higher temperature, but the oven with the protective film maintained its temperature for a longer period of time.
West Broward High School Recognizes Outstanding Senior Leaders By Debby Teich
F
our students from West B roward H igh School
were recently honored at the Outstanding Senior Leader banquet. The program recognizes public high school seniors who have achieved excellence in the classroom and as student leaders. School Board members, parents, teachers, principals and many others attended the banquet. “It is an evening in which the senior student leadership of our schools is recognized for their contributions to their schools and communities,” said Michael Roland, Student Activities Liaison. The West Broward High School Outstanding Students Leaders Michelle Diaz were: Michelle Alexa Diaz Michelle is ranked 97th in her class and has completed 180 volunteer service hours. She is Student Government president, and FASC District 6 secretary, as well as an active member of Rho Kappa and the Spirit Club. She received the Student Government Underclassmen Award for leadership. Michelle plans to study forensic science or criminology. According to Michelle’s Student Government advisor, she is “dedicated to helping others succeed.” Kimberley Alexis Lucas Kimberley is ranked 26th in her class and has completed 250 volunteer service hours. She is Senior Class vice president, International Thespian Honor Society president, newspaper editor, and Student Council vice president, as well as an active member of Drama Club and Cappies. Her honors include: FSPA District 7 2nd place - Story of My Life - photography, Florida State Thespians District 13 Superior Solo, Critics Choice Solo and All Star Cast Member, College Board AP Scholar with Honors, WBHS Underclassmen Award and FSPA States 1st placenewspaper team. Kimberley plans to study medicine. According to her Senior Class sponsor, “Kim Lucas is an outstanding young woman. She is well respected by faculty and peers and demonstrates excellence in all she does.”
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MAY 2015 | Our City Pembroke Pines
Kimberley Lucas
Jasmin Ouseph
Michael Velez
Jasmin Maria Ouseph Jasmin is ranked 2nd in her class and has competed 293 volunteer service hours. She is NHS secretary, Debate Team captain, Duel School captain, English Honor Society president, and Student Council senator, as well as an active member of Rho Kappa and the Brain Brawl team. Her honors include: Harvard Book Award, Broward County Science Fair 2nd place-Environmental Science, College Board AP Scholar, P-3 ECO Challenge 1st place-Stewardship, Nova Titan Invitational 2nd place-Lincoln Douglas Debate and US Achievement Academy Language Arts Award. Jasmin plans to study law and education. According to her NHS sponsor, “Jasmin demonstrates excellent leadership skills, motivates her peers and is an all-around great person.” Michael A. Velez Michael is 3rd in his class and has completed 171 volunteer service hours. He is NHS treasurer, DECA vice president, Spanish Honor Society vice president, Mu Alpha Theta president and an active member of PTSA. His honors include: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal, WBHS PTSA Bobcat Award of Excellence, DECA written event finalist and Broward County World Languages competition 2nd place-Spanish. Michael plans to study astrophysics. According to his NHS sponsor, “Michael is dedicated to helping others succeed.”