Tartan Middle School Scientists Honored for Innovative Projects at OC Science Fair

St. Margaret’s grade 8 students were recognized at the Orange County Science and Engineering Fair for innovative projects in fields ranging from electronics to applied engineering to behavioral sciences.

Leading the way was Parisa Khashayar, who won the Jr. Sweepstakes Prize as the overall best project at the fair. Parisa also was the sweepstakes winner in the electronics category and received a special award from the Office of Naval Research.

Parisa’s project was a firefighter assist unit wristband that had a heart rate monitor, motion sensor, gas sensor and temperature sensor.

“Using an Arduino microprocessor, I connected four sensors to monitor a firefighter’s condition while they are on duty,” Parisa said. “I coded each of these sensors so that they would have a set range. If a firefighter’s condition exceeds that range, like their heart rate is too high or too low, a text will be sent to the command center on site via GSM.”

Also recognized was Morgan Williams and Shane Olvera-Harle, who received third place in applied engineering and received a special award from the Orange County Water District. The two created a prototype of a solar still designed to create potable water, using solar energy to distill brackish water through UV heat.

Makayla Arnoldi, meanwhile, received an honorable mention in behavioral sciences for her safety bracelet that included messaging options, 911 SMS and location pinpoint.

Parisa’s project will be submitted to the California Science and Engineering Fair, which takes place April 23 - 24 in Los Angeles. Her project will be among 900 submitted from across the state competing for awards totaling $60,000.