Northbrook Jr High Science Students Win 22 Gold Awards At Science Fair

NORTHBROOK, IL — Twenty-three Northbrook Junior High Independent Science Research students recently brought home 22 gold awards and one silver award from the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Fair. The event was held May 2-3 in Champaign at the University of Illinois.

According to Northbrook District 28, the students presented their projects to a panel of six judges, who evaluated their oral presentations, written work, and the scientific method of their experiments

Talia Nayman received the Exceptional Project in Category Award in the Product and Consumer Science category. She tested the effectiveness of sunscreen versus its price. Nayman said she found no correlation to price. She also found that chemical sunscreen was more effective than mineral-based sunscreens, according to the district.

"Definitely listen to your mom," Nayman said. "Use at least SPF 30 and keep reapplying it to avoid aging and to avoid the risk of skin cancer."

Science teachers Lauren Johnson, Fred Yoon, and Amber Paull guide the students on their projects and then through a school science fair, a regional fair, and finally, a state competition.

Five students were also recognized with the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Award, representing the top 10 percent of projects at the state fair. They are Nayman, Magdalena Mikhael, Alexa Sciortino, Grace Brown, Minji Yoon.

"We are extremely proud of all of our students, especially with their hard work and dedication this year," science teacher Lauren Johnson said. "They taught me so much through their experiments, and I am honored to have helped guide them to their success with Ms. Paull and Mr. Yoon."