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"One impulse from a vernal wood may teach you more of man, or moral evil and of good, than all the sages can."
- William Wordsworth
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Since 2001, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has been participating as judges in the Annual Loudoun County Regional Science Fair.
Past awards
2008
1st Place: Johnny (Jun-Hong) Kim, of Stone Bridge High School
Receiving a monetary award of $250 from LWC, Johnny (Jun-Hong) Kim, of Stone Bridge High School, took First Place for his project, "The Effect of Allaria Petiolata on the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Its Effect on the Growth of Native Plants." Johnny examined how exotic species invade American native plant ecosystems. Many ecologists have carried out studies on invasions, but the majority of the studies have concentrated on above ground interactions. In his research, Johnny observed the effects on the soil community and the growth of native plants by an invading exotic species, garlic mustard (alliaria petiolata). The determining factor was the abundance of arbuscular fungi (AMF) present. |
2nd Place: Eric Bolden, Loudoun Valley High School
Loudoun Valley High School student Eric Bolden took our Second Place award ($150) for his project titled "Effects of Water Temperature on Potentially Deadly Microorganisms." Eric’s study examined the rare infection of the central nervous system by the species naegleria fowleri. When these cases occur, it nearly always results in the death of the infected organism. To determine which factors might affect the likelihood of infection, Eric observed varying water temperatures in which the species tends to thrive to determine the lowest activity levels of the specimen with respect to temperature. |
3rd Place: Devon N. Reed, Dominion High School
Dominion High School student Devon N. Reed was recognized with our Third Place award ($100) for his project titled "Strength vs. Camouflage: The Evolutionary Tradeoffs of Pigmentation in Bird Eggs." His project focused on wild animals and their fight for survival. Egg strength in birds is one of the primary factors that determines whether a young chick survives to hatch. Since egg pigmentation varies with bird species, it was the intent of his research to determine whether pigmentation played a role in the strength of the shell. |
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2007
1st Place: Vanessa Bornholdt, Broad Run High School
"The Effects of a Horse Farm on the Health of a Stream” |
2nd Place: Nadia Waterman, Freedom High School
“The Effect of Lawn Fertilizers on Daphnia magna” |
3rd Place: Robert Lee, Potomac Falls High School
“If a Tree Falls in Forest . . .” |
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2006
1st Place: Nathan Latka, Loudoun Country High School
“The Effects Wetlands Have on a Waterways Flooding Frequency ” |
2nd Place: Samantha Owens, Freedom High School
“Effects of Waste Removal Sites on Nearby Communities ” |
3rd Place: Ian Claar, Heritage High School
“The Effects of Urbanization on Tuscarora Creek ” |
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2005
1st Place: Alex Seebeck, Loudoun Valley High School
“HE(L)P Barred Owl Habitat in Loudoun County, Virginia, USA” |
2nd Place: Stephen Spurlock
“Natural Resource or Natural Disaster? Population Dynamics of Whitetail Deer in Loudoun County” |
2nd Place: Alyssa Sanow
“The Impact of Non-Nitrogen-Based Super-Phosphate Fertilizer on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation and Hemlock Growth” |
2nd Place: Claire Nawojchik
“The Comparison of Small Mammal Populations in Two Differing Field Habitats at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve” |
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2004
1st Place: Alex Seebeck, Loudoun Valley High School
“A Comparison of Habitat Suitability Index Models for Barred Owls in Loudoun County, VA.” |
2nd Place: Dhruva Rajendra, Dominion High School
“The Effects of Fertilizers on the Breakdown of Motor Oil in a Freshwater Environment.” |
2nd Place: Stephen Spurlock, Loudoun Valley High School
“Chronic Wasting Disease in Virginia.” |
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2003
1st Place: Alex Seebeck, Loudoun Valley High School
“A Comparison of Habitat Suitability Index Models for Barred Owls in Loudoun County, VA.” |
2nd Place: Erin Ebaugh |
2nd Place: Yassi Pourkazemi |
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2002
1st Place: Alex Seebeck, Loudoun Valley High School
“ The Relationship Between Barred Owl Calls and Responses During the
Non-Breeding Season” |
| 2nd Place: Gavin Ruedisueli |
| 2nd Place: Jared Fausnaught |
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2001
1st Place: Jared Faustnaught, Loudoun County High School
"
The Effects of Impervious Surface on Stream Health" |
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