2008 CSF

Intrigued by her Grandfather’s warning about pesticides on an apple, in Sept. 2007 Eliza designed an experiment to test honey samples for traces of several common pesticides. If blossoms were sprayed with pesticides, she reckoned, perhaps those pesticides were also finding their way into honey. As it turned out, the project was cutting-edge environmental science-- little research had been performed on the migration of pesticides in honey production. But with no roadmap to follow, Eliza's initial work using Fourier transform spectrophotometry proved inconclusive.

Having reached a dead end, she started over using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and a novel technique for preparing her honey samples. This time, the experiment succeeded–so well, in fact, that she won top awards at the 2008 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, at the 2008 Connecticut Science Fair, and ultimately at the 2008 INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, GA.

Below are a few photos and press clippings from Eliza's unexpected and amazing 2007-2008 adventures in science...

Connecticut’s five top 2008 science fair winners with Wynn Muller of the Connecticut Science Fair

Abstract for Eliza’s 2008 “Pesticide” project: Tracing the Migration of Pesticides Through the Production of

Southwestern Connecticut Honey

Here is a download link to Eliza’s Complete 2008 “Pesticide” research.

2008 project judging: CSF finalists defend their hypotheses and methodology during questioning by as many as a dozen expert judges (photo: Frank LaBanca)

Dr. Sarah Berke presents the 2008 Connecticut “BioBus” Special Award for Research Excellence (photo: Frank LaBanca)

Andy Bramante with his 2008 class of CFS participants.

March12, 2008

Greenwich High student wins science competition

Eliza McNitt, a Greenwich High School junior, captured top honors at the 45th Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium for an original research project that traced the migration of pesticides through the production of southwestern Connecticut honey.

Eliza and Courtney were among 13 state finalists who made oral presentations before an audience of more than 300 fellow science students, parents, teachers, and jurors at the University of Connecticut in Storrs on March 10. Both students were mentored by GHS science teacher Andrew Bramante.

"While extensive work has been done on the presence of residual insecticides on fruits and vegetables, there has been little significant scientific research on residual pesticides in honey," Mr. Bramante said in a release. "Eliza came to me with her project on the first day of class. I almost fell off my stool when I heard it."

Eliza says that the topic was indirectly inspired by her grandfather, a chemical engineer, who is fastidious about washing and peeling fresh produce. "If there are insecticides on an apple," Eliza said. "It made me wonder if they could also be present in honey." 

She found an ideal controlled research environment at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford, which maintains an apiary in the middle of its 30 acre property. James Kaechele, arboretum education director and beekeeping specialist Andrew Cote made honey samples available along with detailed records of pesticide applications.

Eliza tested the arboretum honey using advanced Spectroscopy and Chromatography technology that had been donated to the GHS science program. "I was incredibly fortunate to able to perform my own analysis," she says. "GHS has equipment that you can't even find in most colleges."

Her tests revealed the presence of a component of the pesticide Neem Oil — which is widely used in organic farming. Neem Oil is made from the fruits and seeds of Neem, an evergreen tree common in India, and is not thought to be harmful to mammals, birds or bees.

The fact that Eliza found no trace of another insecticide called Imidacloprid may have implications in the search for a cause of the mysterious syndrome known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in which worker bees abruptly disappear. CCD is considered a serious threat to the pollination of food crops in the United States and Europe. 

"Imidacloprid is under investigation as a contributing factor in CCD," she said. "The fact that it is not present in the Arboretum honey could suggest that it is killing or disorienting worker bees so they cannot return to the hive."

The topic will be something she'll tackle in her next GHS science project.

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NOTE:

Shortly after this article was published, Eliza won Second Place at the Connecticut Science Fair, which qualified her to attend the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). 

Since missing two full weeks of school in the month before critical junior year final exams and SATs was deemed unwise, Eliza elected to only to attend ISEF.

However, as the article predicts, she did pursue the role of Imidacloprid in Colony Collapse Disorder for her 2009 science research project.

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2008 ISEF

Eliza approaching stage (left) and receiving INTEL Grand Award (below) at 2008 INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Atlanta

(photos by Frank LaBanca)

ISEF Finalists Eliza, Fionna Woods and Alexandra McIe touring Atlanta (photo: Frank LaBanca)

Impromptu rain gear for an unexpected rain storm Atlanta (photo: Frank LaBanca)

Judging Day: ISEF 2008, Atlanta: Theresa Oei, Fionna Wood, Dayton Horvath, Alexandra McIe and Eliza(photo: Frank LaBanca)

Three scenes from the 2008 ISEF Awards Ceremony (photo: Frank LaBanca)

2008 CSF Winners and ISEF Grand Award Winners Fionna Woods, Eliza and Theresa Oei

(photo: Frank LaBanca)

Eilza and Andy Bramante with Eliza’s “Pesticide” poster at the 2008 ISEF in Atlanta, (photo: Frank LaBanca)

Science Fair winners were honored at the 2008 Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Induction