Parkdale High School Students Earn Recognition at the PGCPS STEM Fair
Parkdale High School is proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of several students who earned recognition at the 78th Annual Prince George's County Public Schools STEM Fair. Through months of research, experimentation, data analysis, and presentation preparation, these students demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and scientific inquiry while representing Parkdale with pride.
The annual STEM Fair provides students with the opportunity to investigate real-world questions, conduct original research, analyze data, and present their findings to judges and industry professionals. This year's participants showcased projects across a wide range of STEM disciplines, including environmental science, microbiology, biochemistry, computational biology, physics, astronomy, and plant science. Their work reflected not only academic excellence but also the curiosity and perseverance that are essential to scientific discovery.
Among this year's Parkdale participants were:
Jocelyn Zavala Romero – Plant Science
Project: Plant Growth with Natural and Artificial Light
Jocelyn investigated whether plants grow more effectively under natural sunlight or artificial light. Through careful observation and data collection, she analyzed how different light sources impact plant growth and development, helping to deepen understanding of environmental factors that influence plant health.
Elizabeth Diaz Velasquez – Biochemistry
Project: Brewing Bubbles: The Temperature Tango of Yeast and CO₂
Elizabeth explored the relationship between water temperature and carbon dioxide production during yeast fermentation. Her project examined how temperature affects biological processes and fermentation rates. In addition to receiving recognition at the county fair, Elizabeth earned a special award from the Patent and Trademark Office Society for her outstanding work.
Zoe Tehan-Pacheco – Physics and Astronomy
Project: Emergency: What Are You Wearing?
Zoe examined the flotation capabilities of different clothing materials in emergency situations. Her project investigated which materials provide the best support and buoyancy in water, offering practical applications related to personal safety. Zoe was awarded Best Presentation in Physics and Astronomy for her exceptional communication of scientific concepts and findings.
Ezra Thomas – Earth and Environmental Sciences
Project: A Grave Question: Durability of Common Rocks and Minerals Used in Gravestones
Ezra studied the durability and weathering characteristics of rocks commonly used in gravestones. By comparing different materials and their resistance to environmental conditions, Ezra explored how geology impacts the preservation of historical monuments over time.
Ana Robles Flores – Microbiology
Project: How Do the Effects of Different Spices Impact the Growth of E. coli?
Ana investigated the antimicrobial properties of various spices and their effects on bacterial growth. Her project examined how naturally occurring compounds found in common spices may inhibit bacterial development, highlighting the intersection of microbiology and everyday life.
Tanjim Chowdhury – Environmental Science and Data Analysis
Project: Forecasting Wildfire Activity Using Time Series Analysis
Sanjin utilized advanced data analysis techniques to examine wildfire trends and develop predictive models for future wildfire activity. His research earned special recognition from both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Commissioned Officers Association of the United States Public Health Service, demonstrating the high quality and relevance of his work.
Aarav Jagdhane – Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Project: Mutagenesis Simulation: Investigating the Impact of Mutation Types on Protein Function
Aarav used computational tools and simulation techniques to explore how genetic mutations affect protein function. His project showcased advanced understanding of bioinformatics and computational biology while addressing important questions related to genetics and molecular science.
A Commitment to Excellence in STEM
The achievements of these students reflect the strong culture of academic excellence, innovation, and scientific exploration that exists at Parkdale High School. Each participant dedicated significant time and effort to developing a research question, conducting investigations, analyzing results, and presenting their findings to judges and fellow researchers.
Several students received special awards and honors in addition to their participation certificates, further highlighting the quality of research being conducted by Parkdale students. Their success demonstrates the power of curiosity, critical thinking, and perseverance in addressing meaningful scientific questions.
Recognizing Outstanding Mentorship
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication and leadership of Michele Siebert, Parkdale High School science teacher and STEM Fair sponsor. Throughout the entire research process, Ms. Siebert provided students with invaluable guidance, encouragement, and support as they developed their projects from initial concepts to final presentations.
She worked closely with students to help them refine research questions, strengthen experimental designs, analyze data, prepare display boards, and develop the confidence needed to present their work before judges and industry professionals. Her commitment to student success and passion for STEM education helped create an environment where students could challenge themselves, think critically, and pursue their scientific interests.
Parkdale High School extends its sincere appreciation to Ms. Siebert for her outstanding mentorship and unwavering support of our students. Her dedication continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers, and innovators.
Congratulations, STEM Scholars!
The success of these students is a testament not only to their hard work and determination but also to the strong support system provided by dedicated educators, families, and the entire Parkdale High School community.
We congratulate Jocelyn Zavala Romero, Elizabeth Diaz Velasquez, Zoe Tehan-Pacheco, Ezra Thomas, Ana Robles Flores, Tanjim Chowdhury, and Aarav Jagdhane for their remarkable accomplishments and for representing Parkdale High School with excellence at the Prince George's County STEM Fair.
Their achievements showcase the talent, creativity, and potential of Parkdale students and serve as an inspiration to future generations of STEM scholars.
Congratulations to our outstanding STEM Fair participants and award winners! We are incredibly proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing what you accomplish next.