GREENWICH—Greenwich Catholic School is excited to announce that 7th grader Patrick McHugh won first place in the 7th Grade Physical Science Division of the CT State Science and Engineering Fair on March 19. His project, “Mass Maglev Manufacturing,” focused the use of magnets to increase efficiency in powering wind turbines. In addition, Patrick was a finalist in the Energize CT/eesmarts Alternative/Renewable Energy Awards.
GCS 8th graders Gianna Saviano and Sofina Tillman-Singh received second place in the Physical Sciences Middle School Division for their project, “A Helping Hand.” Working with an Arduino electronics kit and 3D Printer, the girls created a robotic hand that can mirror the movements of the opposing limb. Their efforts earned an Honors Award from the Connecticut Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the John S. Kendall Memorial Award for Excellence in Mechanical Engineering.
Fellow GCS 8th graders William Catalani and Joshua DeSouza shared their invention for a Tsunami Shelter called “Take Cover.” Seventh grader Monica Marino received the Sister Mary Christine Life Sciences Award for excellence by a Catholic middle school student for her “BITE BRIGHT: A Natural Toothpaste” project, which explores the use of fluoride in toothpaste.
“I am proud of how our science teams followed their curiosity to take understanding to a new level, to document learning thoroughly, and to have great fun doing it,” says GCS science teacher Carol Ann Lutz. “Furthermore, each of these projects deals with existing themes in our world, all things people are truly interested in learning about.”
Greenwich Catholic School students have a tradition of excelling at the CT State Science and Engineering Fair. Last year four middle school teams placed as finalists in their divisions. In 2015, Maura McHugh, Patrick McHugh’s older sister, received 3rd place for her invention of a rubberized, removable slip for pointe shoes. Now a sophomore at Lauralton Hall in Milford, the elder McHugh is working on patenting her invention.
So, what’s next for the aspiring engineers and scientists? Gianna Saviano, Sofina Tillman-Singh, and Patrick McHugh have all been invited to compete at the Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars), a highly prestigious national competition, and Monica Marino has been asked to present at the CT Invention Convention as a “CIC Next Step Inventor.”
