A first place went to junior Emma Keeler ’19 of Rochester for her project, “Bioprospecting for Benthic Fungi and Their Bactericidal Antibiotics.” She also received the Applied Biomath Award, the Naval Science Award, and is an alternate to the Harvard Summer Secondary Program. Emma will compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA, next week where over 77 countries will be represented and more than $5 million in scholarships and prizes will be awarded.

Three second places were awarded to four Falmouth Academy students: Charlie Fenske ’18 of Edgartown for his project, “Analysis of Morphing Wings to Enhance Aircraft Efficiency”; James Goldbach ’21 of Plymouth for “The Effects of Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobacteria on Peas”; Noah Glasgow ’21 of Chilmark for “Creamery Sanitation Method Efficacies Relative to Creamery Surfaces”; and Sarah Lott ’18 of Mashpee and Rebecca Cox ’18 of Falmouth for their joint project, “Exploring Life in One of the Last Remaining Frontiers on Earth: The Lower Oceanic Crust.”

In addition to their second place awards, Charlie Fenske ’18 received the Fish and Richardson Patent award and James Goldbach ’21 received the Ben Eisenstadt Memorial Award. Grace Russell

’19 of Mattapoisett was awarded an Honorable Mention for her project, “The Effect of Lowered Oxygen Levels on Hermit Crab Behavior.”

Having the opportunity to present scholarly scientific work teaches students to engage in the pursuit of authentic knowledge, in-depth experimentation, and thoughtful analysis of real-world problems. All Falmouth Academy students in grades 7-11 conduct original independent scientific research and take part in the Falmouth Academy Science and Engineering Fair, now in its 30th year. Seniors can opt to participate and this year, three competed at the state level.