MVRHS Students Shine at 25th Annual Science and Engineering Fair

OAK BLUFFS, MA. (February 15, 2024) – Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) hosted its 25th Annual Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday.  Fifty five students entered projects into the fair.  Twenty four  judges from a wide selection of Island organizations judged the investigative and engineering projects.  Additionally, both direct drive and geared turbines were evaluated in the wind tunnel as part of the Wind Turbine Competition. Photos from the event can be viewed here



MVRHS is so grateful for the community support from judges and our sponsors including Tisbury Waterways, Inc., Marine & Paleobiological Research Institute, Lagoon Pond Association, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Island Grown Initiative, Vineyard Conservation Society, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, Friends of Sengekontacket, Vineyard Power, MV Surfcasters Association, The Munn Family, and delicious food from Humphrey’s Bakery and Sweet Bites Cafe and Bakery. 



Tisbury Waterways, Inc. is a non-profit organization of private citizens concerned with the conservation of our environment and clean waterways. TWI has chosen to honor one of its former presidents, Dr. James H. Porter, by funding the grand prize award for our fair.  Friends of Sengekontacket is dedicated to the protection and preservation of water quality, as well as the preservation of habitat.  FOS honors former board of directors member Charles E. Carlson Jr. by sponsoring the first through third place engineering awards for the fair.  Vineyard Power seeks “to foster the production of electricity from local, renewable resources,” and Vineyard Power is the sponsor of the wind turbine competition awards.



The MVRHS Science and Engineering Fair coordinators are science teachers Anna Cotton and Natalie Munn, and the Wind Turbine Competition organizer is science teacher Dana Munn.

The Awards

The Dr. James H. Porter Tisbury Waterways Inc. Grand Prize Award

Molly Crawford “Revolutionizing Menstrual Hygiene: A Green Approach with Reusable Tampons”



Charles E. Carlson Jr. Award facilitated by Friends of Sengekontacket for 1st Place Engineering 

Elliott Stead “Developing a Flight Computer for Class 1 Rockets”



Charles E. Carlson Jr. Award facilitated by Friends of Sengekontacket for 1st Place Engineering 

Shevaun Brown “Best Peat Free Seed Starter Soil For Soil Blocks”



Charles E. Carlson Jr. Award facilitated by Friends of Sengekontacket for 1st Place Engineering  

Alison Gatchell “Sugar-free Lollipops for Diabetics”



1st Place Investigative Award

Kyle Levy “How does humidity effect bacterial growth and transmissivity?”



2nd Place Investigative Award

Talia Young and Hydee Turner “How Does Algae Grow in Different Ph Liquids?”



3rd Place Investigative Award

Jonah Mafcher “How Does the Environment Impact Bacterial Growth?”



Wind Turbine Competition Geared Division Awards

First Place: Quinlan Slavin, Kyle Levy, and Vytas Alexander

Second Place: Maia Donnelly, Joao Simoes, Reese McCracken, and Kaitlin Fingado



Wind Turbine Competition Direct Drive Division Awards

First Place: Josh Salop and Broden Vincent

Second Place: Annabelle Metell

Third Place: Camille Brand and Sophia Arroyo



Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation Award

Talia Young and Hydee Turner “How Does Algae Grow in Different Ph Liquid?”



The Island Grown Initiative Award 

Shevaun Brown “Best Peat Free Seed Starter Soil For Soil Blocks”

Esme Colon and Sydney Bruguiere “What’s Your Scent?



The Marine and Paleobiological Research Institute (MRPI) Award 

Samilly Guimaraes and Julia Caldwell “Succulent Plant Project



Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association Award 

Kyle Levy “How Does Humidity Effect Bacterial Growth and Transmissivity?”



Sustainability Award sponsored by the Munn Family 

Ella Ehrman and Grace Bennett-Rock “Reducing Food Waste by Preserving”



Lagoon Pond Association Award 

Aedan Coogan “Eco-Plastic”



Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group Award 

Elaina Cacchiotti and Madison Mello “Life Span of Cut Flowers in a Vase”



Biology Award 

Holden Graczykowski “Glucose/Sucrose Measuring Project”

Sophia Alves “Job Changes”



Physics Award 

Senique Wilson “Building a Cloud Chamber to Observe Subatomic Particles”

Sawyer Schaefer “Child Chair Comfort”



Chemistry Award

Hannah McCormick and Grazina Biskis “How Different Milks Effect the Consistency and Time to Make at Home Ice Cream” 

Technology Award

Jacksun Engler “Wheelchair Harness of the Future”

Syius Rivera Rigali and Kaua De Assis “Chapstick Holder” 

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About Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS):

MVRHS strives to cultivate the heart and mind of all students, providing them with a strong academic background and a set of socio-emotional skills that make them adaptable, healthy, employable and happy. MVRHS is part of the Martha’s Vineyard Public School System, with over 700 students from the Island’s six towns enrolled in grades 9-12. Learn more at www.mvrhs.org