Science Fair Projects

UCSD COPC Science Enrichment Program uses student participation in local district science fairs, San Diego county's Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF), as well as the California State Science Fair (CSSF) as vehicles for developing critical thinking skills and engaging students in scientific investigations over extended periods of time. Students use the scientific method to research and design experiments that test their hypotheses.  Project categories include Behavioral Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology, and Zoology.

Students learn the scientific method and inquiry during the after school and intersession classes, and develop their ideas and projects throughout the year.  Science fair projects begin during the summer intersession program, and culminate in competition at the District Science Fair in February, where projects are screened for participation in the more prestigious Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair in March.  From the GSDSEF, a few select students are invited to move up to the California State Science Fair, held in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California in April.

Lilia Villa, a senior at Sweetwater High, won 1st place in Behavioral Science at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, and also competed at the California State Science Fair, placing 3rd in her category and division.  She was the first student from the Sweetwater Union School District to ever make it to the state competition.  Lilia, who designed the logo for the COPC Science Enrichment Program, is traveling in Bulgaria for the summer before returning to San Diego City College, where she majors in Art History.

David Rodriguez placed 1st as a senior, in both the district and Greater San Diego Science and Engineering fairs last year.  David's project was a computer program that utilized a fractal program to demonstrate the growth of cancer cells.  He is currently a student at UCLA, majoring in Biochemistry.  During the summer, David is interning in Dr. Percy Russell's lab here at UCSD.  David is hoping to go into cancer research and attend UCSD's medical school.

More Science Fair Projects

• Water Quality Differences in San Diego Bay and Estuary — Francis Go, 12th Grade 
  
  
• Investigating Dinoflagellate Dormancy — Sorayda Santos, 12th Grade 
  
  
• Will Salinity Affect the Growth of Toxic Algae? — Marlene Lopez, 7th Grade  
  
  
• Adenylate Kinase Loss of Activity by Dilution — Claudia Santiago, 11th Grade 
  
  
• Stress Comparison:  Which is Higher?  Adults vs. Adolescents — Yessenia Jurado, 10th Grade 
  
  
• Hydro Growing:  Which Nutrient is the Best for Plant Growth? — Bernardo Garcia, 8th Grade 
  
  
• Thigmotropism:  To Touch or Not to Touch? — Alan Fonseca, 8th Grade 
  
  
• Does Smell Affect Food Preferences for Mice? — Danelly Cruz, 12th Grade 
  
  
• What's Best For Baby?  Frozen vs. Refrigerated Breast Milk — Lorena Lopez, 10th Grade 
  
  
• Spectrum Fishing — Rey Gonzalez, 10th Grade 
  
  
• Vitamin C:  Future Steroids for Athletes — Vitaly Lunev, 12th Grade 
  
  
• Of Mice and Memory.  Does Ginkgo Biloba Improve Memory? — Josefa Amon, 12th Grade 
  
  
• Bacterial Resistance to Antibacterial Soaps — David Winter, 11th Grade