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On Wednesday, February 26, Newton Country Day held the 30th annual Science and Engineering Fair. Upper School students participating in Independent Research, along with all students in Grades 7 and 8, presented their projects to judges with backgrounds in science, medicine, mathematics, and engineering. The panel of judges included Newton Country Day alumnae, faculty, parents, and members of the Class of 2025. 

Grade 7 presented projects that focused on Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, and Psychology, applying the scientific method in their research. The following students were recognized for their achievements: 

• First place: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” - Frances Bride ‘30 and Charlotte Mitchell ‘30
• Second place: “Can Hair Hang On?” - Elizabeth Cedrone ‘30, Emory Hassell ‘30, and Jessalyn Lisek ‘30
• Third place: “Cleansers, Cleansing?” - Lulu Meng ‘30 and Macie Palm ‘30
• Fourth place: “What is your Take on Images that are Fake?” - Rebecca Campolongo ‘30 and Milena Rufo ‘30
• Fifth place: “Photosynthesis, Limiting the Ways of Life” - Phelan Curry ‘30 and Eloise Ewing ‘30

Grade 8 students applied the engineering design process to their projects, emphasizing the evolution of a design through several iterations to achieve their project goals. The following students were recognized for their achievements: 

• First place: “Catch the Waste, Keep it Safe!” - Madison Li ‘29 and Evelin Teamey ‘29
• Second place: “Lacrosse Luminescence” - Maggie Cronin ‘29, Molly Papazian ‘29, and Abby Terino ‘29
• Third place: “Breezy Brace” - Serenity Drane ‘29, Tildie Lucibello ‘29, and Annabel MacLetchie ‘29
• Fourth place: “The Disability to Accessibility Shelf” - Annie Blechman ‘29, Sam Cho ‘29, and Lucy Willett ‘29
• Fifth Place: “Snatch, Scrub, Shine” - Lulu Nardone ‘29, Regina Qu ‘29, and Bella Salamone ‘29

The top two teams in both Grades 7 and 8 will move on to the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair on Saturday, May 10 at Clark University. 

Upper School students in the Independent Research Program conducted self-directed research in science or engineering. The following students were recognized for their achievements:

• First place: “How do influences vs. close relationships impact decision making in adolescent girls?” - Lane Carroll ‘26 
• Second place: “Comparing algorithms for counting friendship relationship in dynamic graphs” - Sloane Brzezinski ‘26
• Third place: “The placebo effect of caffeine consumption on teenage girls’ heart rates and perceived energy levels” - Erin Bourque ‘27 and Regan Montague ‘27
• Fourth place: “Evaluating the societal and healthcare provider perspectives on the use of xenotransplantation for the treatment of end stage kidney disease” - Elly Culleton ‘28
• Fifth place: “Increasing short-term potable water accessibility through reclaimed air moisture” - Abby Goodman ‘25 and “The accuracy of large language models’ responses to questions about COVID-19 vaccine” - Eila Murray ‘28

These top five projects, along with the projects below, have qualified for the Regional Fair at Bridgewater State University on Saturday, March 8. The following projects have also qualified for presentation at the Regional Fair:

• “Hydration nation: Comparing the effectiveness of dermatologist approved and not approved moisturizers” - Meah Cavallo ‘28 and Clare Hooper ‘28
• “Birth order’s effect on personality traits in adolescent girls” - Catelyn Hickey ‘27 and Eloise Koenig ‘27
• “Effects of pressure on academic and athletic performance” - Isabelle Martin ‘27
• “ECMO treatment on blood supply” - Lyrra Bland Piontek ‘28