East Catholic High School Senior Wins 7 Prizes at the CT Science & Engineering Fair

East Catholic High School senior, Bidget Oei, was awarded seven prizes for scientific research at the 66th annual Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair recently held at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. 

Oei was among more than 700 participants representing 127 schools in the event that showcases the scientific and engineering capabilities of high school and middle school students. Participants were selected from more than 12,000 students throughout Connecticut and several bordering New York towns. 

Oei received the first place Alexion Biotechnology Award in the high school category. This honor includes a trip to Los Angeles, California to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in May.  It is the world’s largest international pre-college science fair and attracts 1,600 high school students from over 70 countries. 

She also won the first place EnergizeCT/CL&P/eesmarts Award for Future Sustainability, which includes a trip to Houston, Texas where she will compete with high school students from around the world in I-SWEEP, the International Sustainable (Energy, Engineering, Environment) Project Olympiad. 

Oei was awarded the Pfizer Life Sciences second place trophy and the third place trophy in the high school category for the Environmental Sciences with CACIWC, Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission.  In addition, she received awards from the Connecticut Science Supervisors Association, the Milton Fisher Foundation, and from the University of New Haven. 

Although the trips, trophies, medallions, and nearly $3,000 in cash prizes are exciting, for Oei, other aspects of competing in science fairs are even more rewarding.  

“The most fun of competing in a science fair is having the opportunity to talk about research projects with students, teachers and peers,” said Ms Oei. 

Her project titled: Investigating the Efficacy of Bioluminescent Mushroom Panellus Stipticus as a Biosensor to Detect the Toxicity of Water Contaminants. Her project investigated a seemingly simple and sustainable approach to identify toxins, commonly associated with herbicides and pesticides, in drinking water. 

While additional research and development are needed, Oei’s project identified a viable and economical approach to testing water quality that could significantly benefit global public health. 

Oei acknowledges with appreciation, East Catholic High School Biology teacher, Miss Lesa Milas for helping her develop critical thinking skills and a solid understanding of scientific method. Her family credits the excellent science and math programs at East Catholic High School for providing a foundation for working on this project.