Three students from Grand Avenue Middle advanced in the annual Tri-County Science and Technology Fair, held virtually this year in April.

“This competition is similar to the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair for students of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties,” explained science teacher and adviser Tami Cruz. “However, some schools from Nassau and Suffolk counties were allowed to participate.”

To participate, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 must perform a scientific investigation under the guidance of their teachers.

Tristan Bissoondial won first place in the category of environmental science for his project, “Glycine Betaine Improves Tolerance to Cadmium in Lemna minor.” Peter Udilovich won second place in the category of biology for his project, “The Effect of Flour Concentration on Mycelium-Hemp Material Strength.” Evan Kolberg won third place in the category of biology for his project, “Are Hippodamia convergensmore effective at removing Acyrthosiphon pisum than a chemical called imidacloprid?”
Both Bissoondial and Udilovich were selected as 2021 Broadcom MASTERS nominees and are selected to participate in the national competition. Kolberg was named an alternate.

In addition to the individual awards presented to these three students, Grand Avenue was awarded the Susan Schaell Handelman Award for Scholastic Excellence in Science & Technology.

“The students are now looking forward to receiving results from the Long Island Science Congress, set to be released in May,” added Cruz.