Newton County Schools (NCS) is pleased to announce the winners of the NCS District High School Science and Engineering Fair. First place winners recently represented Newton County Schools at the Regional Science Fair in Griffin, Georgia.
MJ Birdsong of Eastside High School earned the top level IV Award for ninth and tenth grade competitors and Robyn Asbell of Newton Collee & Career Academy earned the top award at the Level V competition for juniors and seniors.
“High school students are capable of tackling complex, real-world problems with remarkable depth and originality,” said Dr. Vicki Meeler, NCS Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Specialist. “The projects presented at this year’s district science fair reflect advanced research skills, thoughtful analysis, and a strong understanding of the scientific process. From environmental sustainability to medical research and engineering innovation, these students are not only applying what they have learned — they are contributing meaningful ideas to important global conversations. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and look forward to seeing them represent Newton County Schools at the regional level.”
The following is a list of all Newton County Schools High School Science Fair winners along with their project titles.
High School Science Fair Winners Information
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
AWARD |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| Izzy Braswell |
|
Eastside |
|
1st Place |
|
Earth Science |
|
Can Duckweed by Used as a Way to Filter Pollution out of Municipal Water Sources? |
| MJ Birdsong |
|
Eastside |
|
1st Place and Top Level IV Award |
|
Physical Science |
|
Seeing if Turf Contributes to Global Warming |
| Leah Joseph |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place |
|
Earth Science |
|
The Air We Share: A Local Study of Air Quality in Semi-Urban Newton County, Georgia |
| Robyn Asbell |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place and Top Level V Award |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Beyond the Label: What C. elegans Reveal About Red 40's Effect on Human Gut Health |
| Lizbeth Serrano-Tzintzun |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Healing Traditions: Investigating Iron Absorption with Vitamin C in Mexican Women |
| Chloe Leslie |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Different Worlds, Same Struggles: How Culture and Resources Shape Mental Health in Jamaica and America |
| Emily Armendariz |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place |
|
Life Science |
|
Heart to Heart: Cardiovascular Effects of Taurine and Caffeine on Male and Female Daphnia magna |
| Brianna Roberts |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place |
|
Life Science |
|
Shining Light on Stress in Therapy: Analyzing Behavioral and Cognitive Responses of Zebrafish Under Varying Light Hues |
| Branson Moore |
|
NCCA |
|
1st Place |
|
Engineering |
|
Grevy's Zebra: Why Multimedia Choices for Conservation Philanthropy Aren't So Black and White |
| Cayden Dejournett |
|
Eastside |
|
2nd Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Capsaicin Crisis |
| Chloe Kamphiphone |
|
Eastside |
|
2nd Place |
|
Physical Science |
|
How Can We Make Wormholes Transportable? |
| Jax Matias |
|
Eastside |
|
2nd Place |
|
Engineering |
|
Can You Generate Electricity with a Waterwheel? |
| Christopher Camba |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Earth Science |
|
Precision Forecasting: Predictive Modeling for Localized Tornado Risks |
| Tyrus Mosley |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Dress to Express: The Influence of Family and Culture on Young Adults' Fashion Choices |
| Jennifer Alston |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Mandatory Reporter Training: How Effective is Required Training in Identifying Cases of Abuse? |
| Solange Jones |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Invisible Threats: How PM2.5 Impacts Maternal and Infant Thyroid Health Using Drosophila melanogaster |
| Camelia Sokpoli |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Through Her Lens: How Georgia TV Reflects and Reshapes Black Womanhood |
| Isabella Webb |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Medicine/Health |
|
Does Money Matter? The Socioeconomics Study of Teens (13-18) Theft and Gun Violence in Covington, Georgia |
| Adonijah Nedd |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Life Science |
|
Interspecies Relationships: Why do American Black Bears Tolerate the Presence of Grey Foxes in Order to Serve as a Buffer Between Them and Coyotes in Georgia? |
| Marc Goring, Jr. |
|
NCCA |
|
2nd Place |
|
Engineering |
|
Guardians and Gateways: The Impact of Generative AI on Cybersecurity and Policy |
“The level of scholarship demonstrated by our high school students is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Ashante Everett, NCS Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. “These projects reflect not only deep content knowledge, but also the critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance that we strive to cultivate across Newton County Schools. Opportunities like the district science and engineering fair allow students to explore their passions, engage in authentic research, and prepare for success beyond high school. We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful to the teachers and mentors who guide and support their work.”