Bend Science Station students win at state Science Fair
Three Bend Science Station students who conducted scientific research over the past year presented their results at this year’s Northwest Science Exposition in Portland on Friday, April 5th.
A first place award, $300 in prize money and over $60,000 in scholarship offers were among the highlights for these students at the Intel-sponsored science fair, which drew more than 230 competitors from Oregon and Washington.
Nico Wolnick, a sophomore at Summit High, won first place in the Animal Science category and an Excellence in Statistics Award, before being selected to represent Oregon at this year’s International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona (May 12th to May 17th).
His research project, titled The Effects of Caffeine on Culex Mosquito Survivorship, demonstrated that very small doses of caffeine can exterminate mosquito larva. Nico was also awarded $150 in prize money and scholarships to Oregon State
University ($12,000) and Lewis & Clark College ($45,000).
Tlell Wolf, a freshman at Bend High, received Excellence in Statistics and Outstanding Environmental Science Project awards as well as $150 in prize money. Her research project, titled Size Variation in a New Population of Oregon Spotted Frogs (Rana pretiosa), demonstrated that Oregon spotted frogs from a newly found site in Central Oregon were significantly larger than nearby counterparts.
Emily Waggoner, a Bend High senior, also presented the findings of her research where she successfully quantified Gray Whale fluke pigmentation changes over time.
The Bend Science Station is a learning laboratory which provides science education for Central Oregon, offering innovative curriculum to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, and inquiry-based training for their teachers. The Bend Science Station teaches public, private and home school students through school year programs, summer camps and partnerships with community agencies.
Last year, the Bend Science Station taught more than 3,500 students and 120 teachers from 36 schools across Deschutes County.
