Published: Mar 01, 2016 | 09:00 AM

IUSD Students Win for Their Water-Related Science Fair Projects

Four students who participated in the Irvine Unified School District’s science fair on February 23 were selected for honors by Irvine Ranch Water District for their water-related science fair projects.

IRWD has been involved in the science fair since its inception more than 30 years ago. District professionals have assisted, whether it’s advising during Ask-a-Scientist Night, or judging the water-related science fair projects.

Of the several hundred entries, more than 30 were water-related. The drought must have been on the minds of many of the students, based on the nature of their projects. Some examined various methods of desalination, some looked at irrigation controllers and others conducted experiments on the best types of dirt for retaining water.

The students will be honored at the June 13 IRWD Board of Directors meeting. Judging this year were Melinda Bergen, a supervisor in the chemistry section of the IRWD Water Quality Laboratory, and Michele Drzymkowski, IRWD Water Quality Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control.

Students whose projects were selected are:

• Harrison Ku, grade 11, University High School, “Seawater Desalination Using a Microfluidic Electrodialytic Cell Based on Laminary Flow
• Ainesh Arumugan, grade 9, University High School, “Smart Irrigation Controller”
• Ryan Takiguchi, grade 7, South Lake Middle School, “Life Sustaining Dirt: Which Soil Base Sustains Life the Longest Without Water?”
• Emily Nguyen, grade 6, Stonegate Elementary, “You Can Help Solve the Drought Problem”

For more information on the IRWD educational programs, please visit our website.