HDC SETAC is pleased to announce the award winners from the Delaware Valley Science Fair on April 9, 2021.  Ronald MacGillivray, Ph.D., of Delaware River Basin Commission and Donald Nazario of Normandeau Associates served as judges for this years science fair representing HDC SETAC.

1^st Place $150 - Saranya Anantapantula - Effects and Sources of Dioxins and Furans in Benthic Organisms in the Newtown Creek Superfund Site

2^nd Place $75 - Lakshmi Yannam - Comparison of the Phycoremediation Capabilities of Chlorella autotrophica and Spirulina for Heavy Metals and Biosorption of Nitrogen and Phosphorus at Varying Haline Levels

3^rd Place $25 - Sarah Santos - The Effect of Climatic Factors on the Intensity of the Lytic Toxins Released by Gymnodinium sp.

For many years representatives from HDC SETAC have been attending the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) to view and judge High School science projects.  The science fair draws students from Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.  Nearly $6 million in scholarship and prize money is awarded each year to student winners for outstanding science projects.  HDC awards students under the Special Awards section and looks for projects that cover toxicity testing, environmental science, chemistry related projects and ecological awareness in the Hudson Delaware region. 

For 2021 HDC SETAC judges were able to select three outstanding posters.  Of course this year due to COVID-19 restrictions all posters were virtual and judges were introduced to each presenter via a video that each student prepared to present their research and explain their project.  As is the case when viewing posters in person each student presents their distinct personality along with the tables, graphs and pictures of a well thought out science project.  Our goal is to honor high school projects that show an awareness of the importance of environmental science in the midst of urbanization, climate change, focus on renewable energy, and advancing technology.     

Founded in 1949, The Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Inc., is a non-profit organization sponsored by area companies, foundations, universities, and individual donors.  One of the oldest and largest Fairs in the country, DVSF embraces a philosophy in that students learn science by doing science. In the process, students learn how to think and develop critical problem-solving skills that they will need for careers, college, and citizenship.  

(Pictured from DVSF 2018 - left to right, Don Nazario and Ron MacGillivray enjoy a day of judging posters)