Science Department

	Debbie Bonekamp B.S. from Miami University Teaches: Biology, Environmental Science At McNicholas since 1999
	John Chadwell (’05) B.S. in Biology from Xavier University Teaches: Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry\ At McNicholas since 2011
	Regina Goines ('76), Department Chair B. Phil. from Western College of Miami University Teaches: Chemistry, AP Biology Mardi Gras Committee At McNicholas since 1984
	Jon Spurlock B.S. from the University of Cincinnati Teaches: Physics, AP Physics Science National Honor Society Chair, Robotics/Physics Club Moderator At McNicholas since 2007
	Lauren Wulker ('02) B.S. from Ohio University Teaches: Biology, Chemistry in the Community Ecology Club Co-moderator At McNicholas since 2008

Accomplishments

For the twenty-third consecutive year, the Science Department earned the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities for providing opportunities for learning and exploration beyond the classroom.

As a part of National Chemistry Week that was held in October 2011, Scott Frenzel, Lauren Scott, and Alley Dornbach received honorable mention from the local Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society for their poems based on the theme “Chemistry – Our Health, Our Future.”

The Science Department offered Minds On Science summer camp for grade school students in June 2011.

Luke Eveler received the Michaelson-Morley Award, given by Case Western Reserve University for outstanding science achievement through the end of his junior year.

Jack Castleman received the Rensselaer Award given by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for outstanding achievement in math and science through the end of her junior year.

Emily Bradley received the Bausch and Lomb Award given by the University of Rochester for outstanding achievement in science through the end of her junior year.

All students enrolled in Physics, Environmental Science and Chemistry took National Science League Tests in April 2011. The top scorer in physics was Charley Jorden and in Chemistry was Christian Ray. The Environmental Science students were the second place team in the country. Jarryd Osborne was the top scorer; the other members of the General Science team were Connor Nelson, Jonathan Elam, Sarah Croweak, Ryan Ritze, John Adams, Ryan Merrill, Alex Ventre, Lucas Sherman and Matt Curran.

• Several students have been selected to participate in exciting summer programs.
  
• Rachel Wadell was awarded an Earthwatch fellowship to do research in New Mexico and Colorado. This is an opportunity for her to do geological field work with a team of students and adults from around the country.
  
• Caroline Dill will be working at the Cincinnati Zoo this summer as a day camp assistant counselor.
  
• Matt Vieth will be working at the Newport Aquarium as a summer naturalist.
  
• Tony Losekamp and Caroline Dill will be working with the Ohio River Foundation Youth Conservation Team. This position involves working to restore the ecology of the local rivers.
  
• Gabriella Camacho and Anna Bloemer attended a seminar for students interested in medicine at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in March 2011.

One team of AP Biology students participated in the 2010-2011 Toshiba Exploravision competition.

Science Fairs
Our twenty-sixth annual Science Fair was held on January 26, 2012. Thirty-seven students competed in Life and Physical Science categories. Faculty members Ms. Debbie Bonekamp and Ms. Lauren Wulker guided the students as they planned and executed their research.

Honorable Mention in Life Science

• Mikayla Randolph- Biomass In A New Way
  
• Hannah Wagner- Paw Preference in Dogs
  
• Grace Westerkamp-Timed vs.Untimed Tests

Life Science Awards

• 3rd Place: Trevor Lynd- Decolonizing Staph. aureus
• 2nd Place: Alana Osterday- The SODIS Method and Its Effect on Water
  
• 1st Place: Emily Rivard- How Is Algae Affected by DAWN Dish detergent Over Time?

Honorable Mention in Physical Science

• Nate Hazzard- The Effect of Mp3 Compression of Music Quality
  
• Ty Jabin- Popsicle Sticks and Bridges

Physical Science Awards

• 2nd place: Caroline Johnstone-Solar Power and Water Pasteurization
  
• 2nd place: Caroline Jorden- The Effect of Temperature on the Frequency and Volume of the Voice
  
• 2nd place:  Anna Pierce- Sand to Cement Ratio: Testing Bricks for Strength
  
• 1st place: Allie O’Keefe- Mirrors vs. Lenses: Solar Concentrators
  

Special awards

• Governor’s Award for Advanced or Alternative Energy: Allie O’Keefe – Mirrors vs. Lenses: Solar Concentrators
• Governor’s Award for Advanced Materials: Anna Pierce – Sand to Cement Ratio: Testing Bricks for Strength
  
• Governor’s Award for Agriculture and Food Technology: Caroline Johnstone - Solar Power and water pasteurization
• Governor’s Award for Environmental Sciences: Alana Osterday – The SODIS Method and its effect on Water
• Governor’s Award for Information Technology: Nate Hazzard – The effect of MP3 compression of music quality
• National Association of Biology Teachers Honors: Trevor Lynd – Decolonizing Staph Aureus

In 2011, McNicholas was represented by 11 students at the University of Cincinnati’s 2011 District Science Day: Ashley Dundon, Cassidy Deimling, Sarah Wuerfel, Kaitlyn Schaefer, Joy Neltner, Grant Tore, Jacob Woeste, Paige Noday, Claire Griffiths, and Rachel Wadell and Molly Hiltz (team project).

Three of these students received special cash awards from the University and other industry sponsors totaling $2500:

• Cassidy Deimling: $100.00 (Health and Medicine)
• Ashley Dundon: $50.00 (Environmental Water Science), $1000.00 (Geological Society)
  
• Sarah Wuerfel: $150.00, $1200.00 (Civil Engineering Award)
  

Ms. Debbie Bonekamp and Ms. Lauren Wulker served as judges at the 2011 district science fair. Paige Noday, Claire Griffiths, Joy Neltner and Sarah Wuerfel advanced to the State competition.

Paige Noday, Claire Griffiths, Joy Neltner and Sarah Wuerfel advanced to the 2011 State Science Fair. Claire Griffiths and Paige Noday earned excellent ratings; Sarah Wuerfel and Joy Neltner earned superior ratings. Sarah Wuerfel was awarded a scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan University. Mrs Regina Goines served as a judge at the state science fair.

Science NHS
Senior students who meet high standards of service and accomplishment in the sciences are inducted into the Science National Honor Society each September. The SNHS students assist the science faculty on science fair presentation panels and help judge at local science fairs in the winter and spring. SNHS members for 2011-2012 are Ed Allgeier, Amanda Bradley, Gabi Camacho, Jack Castleman, Eric Cornelius, Molly Hiltz, Charlie Jorden, Kim Kollsmith, Michelle LeMaster, Michael Nimmo, Claire O’Malley, Theresa Schneider, Dillon Stanfield, Rachel Wadell, and Yaling Wu.