St Rose Students Receive Recognition For Science Achievements

Daniel O’Rourke, Sonja Hayden, and Brittany Mortera from St Rose School received recognition for outstanding achievement at the Science Horizons 2006 competition held in Ridgefield March 10–12.

Science Horizons, Inc, is an independent nonprofit organization. Its mission is to encourage an interest in science among middle and high school students in area schools by conducting an annual science fair and symposium. Science Horizons provides an opportunity for students to be recognized for exceptional achievements in science.

Eighth grader Daniel O’Rourke was the recipient of four special honors at the competition. He received $100 for placing second in the Junior Physical Science category, which enabled him to register as a contestant at the Quinnipiac University Science Fair. Dan also received the Discovery-Young Scientists Challenge Award, he was the only contestant to receive the $200 Schlumberger Outside the Box Award, and he received the Office of Naval Research Science Award.

Daniel’s project, “Aqua Battery,” demonstrated the use of pumped storage hydroelectricity as a way to store solar energy without batteries. He engineered a machine capable of pumping, by means of solar energy, water to an upper reservoir that was then released through a turbine generator, producing electricity.

Daniel points out that pumped storage hydroelectricity plants are energy efficient, a source of renewable energy, and nonpolluting. The battery, which included a bicycle wheel, foil pans, and plastic cups, successfully stored electricity and produced two percent of the electricity produced by a solar cell.

Sonja Hayden, also an eighth grader, received finalist status in the Junior Physical Science category for her project, “Musical Models.” Seventh grader Brittany Mortera was a finalist for her project, “Plant Spurt.”