Radford students compete in the district science fair
On Jan. 30, 2026, Radford competed in the Central District Science Fair with students from Mililani, Aiea, Leilehua and Moanalua. If students advanced into states, they can win money, scholarships, and an advancement to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Radford qualifed for ISEF in 2024 and 2025. Ms. Griffay, the AP Environmental Science. . .
On Jan. 30, 2026, Radford competed in the Central District Science Fair with students from Mililani, Aiea, Leilehua and Moanalua. If students advanced into states, they can win money, scholarships, and an advancement to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Radford qualifed for ISEF in 2024 and 2025. Ms. Griffay, the AP Environmental Science teacher at Radford, reflected on what it was like working with the students. “I enjoy working with students in this setting because we try to push their ideas to research areas in science that haven’t been studied and collaborate with university professors or industry professionals. I learn along with my students. I am not their teacher but more a mentor as they research their own interests,” Ms. Griffay said. She points out the time it takes to prepare for their research. “Working with students on science fair is all in my free time. I do not have a class to meet with students; we work on their projects after school, weekends, and even over holiday breaks. If students want to do a science fair project, they have to be willing to put in the time and effort. ”Skye Gussenhoven and Madison Soria put their project into the Stockholm water prize. If they progress to states, they will go to Chicago to compete nationwide. If they win, they continue tocontinue onto an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden for an international competition. The following students competed this year with these research topics:Megan Fitzgerald (9):worked on creating an eDNA test to invasive soft corals. Madison Soria & Skye Gussenhoven (11):looked at whether the use of recycled water causes native bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance. John English (11):redesigned magnetic configuration in a wave power buoy energy device. Mallory Cochran (11):examined different types of microplastics around Hawaii in Sea Cucumbers using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Olivia Kilian (11):researched the use of green roofs on Oahu’s Leeward side to improve sustainability and native plant conservation. Keilen Crissia Agpalza, Chloe Butenhoff, and Isabella Thompson (11):looked for a native entomopathogenic fungi that could be used as a bio-control to combat invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles. Jonah Campos (11):researched deep-sea microbes collected from the abyssal plains over 5,000 m deep from a part of the ocean that has never been sampled before.