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Westlake's Science Research Program Celebrates Big Day

MOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. -- Four Westlake High School students presented their science research at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair March 12 and all came away with awards, including a Grand Prize winner.

Westlake Science and Engineering Fair students are shown with their teacher, Lawrence McIntyre, from left, Ryan Stasolla, Meenu Mundackal, Steven Brunetto and Peter Psaltakis.

Westlake Science and Engineering Fair students are shown with their teacher, Lawrence McIntyre, from left, Ryan Stasolla, Meenu Mundackal, Steven Brunetto and Peter Psaltakis.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Meena Mundackal is shown with her project.

Meena Mundackal is shown with her project.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Peter Psaltakis is shown with his project.

Peter Psaltakis is shown with his project.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Ryan Stasolla is shown with his project.

Ryan Stasolla is shown with his project.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Steven Brunetto is shown with his project.

Steven Brunetto is shown with his project.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The fair was held at Sleepy Hollow High School, drawing nearly 500 research students from 33 high schools.

This year, four researchers entered the competition and once again all four won awards. Westlake had a Grand Prize winner that will go on to compete in I-SWEEEP.

 The student winners from Westlake are:

  • Junior Ryan Stasolla was an I-SWEEEP Grand Prize winner, taking a first-place medal in the animal science category for his research on the cost-effectiveness of using granite grit in chicken feed. As one of six first-place finishers with a project relating to environmental, engineering or energy sustainability, Ryan qualified to compete in the I-SWEEEP Olympaid in Houston this spring. Ryan also took home a gold medal and $100 award from  Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. 
  • Senior Steven Brunetto took fourth place in the environmental category for his research on possible new methods for detecting coastal contamination. He was awarded a medal and $25 from Westchester Academy of Medicine. Steven also was awarded the Stockholm Junior Water Prize for top water-related projects. Steven also received the American Meteorological Society Award given for a project that applies the creative scientific study of atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. 
  • Junior Peter Psaltakis took fourth place in the environmental science category for his research titled "The Effect of Dechlorination on the Formation of Free Cyanide in Chlorinated Wastewater Effluent.” He also received a medal and a $25 award from the Westchester Academy of Medicine. Peter also received the NASA Earth System Science Award for projects that offer insight into Earth's interconnected systems.
  • In the medical and health category, junior Meenu Mundackal received the Think STEAM Award for her research that studied the correlation between allergies and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The certificate and $25 award went to female students for outstanding projects in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and was sponsored by Think STEAM.

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