On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Regional Competition was held at Baldwin High School. A total of 20 students from Ms. Margot Bruno's 8th Grade 4000-Level Physical Science Class presented their experimental design project to the judges at this year's regional competition.
Students are placed in small presentation groups by topic category and age group to present their self-designed experiment which they have worked on for many months. Students are scored against a criterion-based rubric, which examines the qualities of a well-controlled experiment and presentation rather than competing against each other.
The eleven Quaker Valley Middle School students who earned a first-place award are also invited to present their experiment at the PJAS state competition in May, which is held at Penn State University in State College.
QVMS Students:
1st Place Awards:
- Tyler Baker - "Storage Temperature on Bacteria and Mold Growth on Lipstick
- Perfect Score AND Director's Award for Best Middle School Experiment in Microbiology
- Tharli Karto - "Best Method for Washing Fruit to Reduce Bacteria"
- Perfect Score
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Mimi Anderson - "Analyzing the Effect of the Impact of Pass Distance on Catch"
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Ella Brackney - "Effect of Temperature of a Pool on Swimmers' Performance"
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Caitlin Hart - "Types of Tennis Rackets on Speed of a Tennis Ball on a Serve"
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Victoria Kronk - "Analyzing the Effect of Powder Blush on Bacteria Growth"
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Gavin Lindemann - "Analyzing the Effect of Using Different Sound Absorption Materials on the Decibel Levels of a Space"
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Winner of the BPMI (Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc) monetary award for Best Middle School Experiment Related to Industrial Materials
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Alexander Moyer - "Effect of Swim Cap Material on 50 Freestyle Speed"
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Addison Schillo - "Doctors Diets Changing With or Without Glucose Monitors"
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Nicola Spezza - "Air Pressure on the Distance of a Volleyball Serve"
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Owen Weisberg - "Brands of Tennis Balls on How High the Balls Bounce"
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Winner of the Director's Award for Best Middle School Experiment in Physics
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2nd Place Awards:
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Cayla Hatton - "Analyzing the Effect of Music on Reading Comprehension"
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Claire Jubeck - "Evaluating the Impact of Coaching on the Discus Throw"
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Finn Miller - "Tennis Racket Age on How High a Tennis ball can Bounce"
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Devyn Mouas - "Effects of Breathing Exercises on Breath Holding Duration"
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Julia Savage - "Sensory Perceptions Effect on Reading Comprehension"
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Marley Schollaert - "Age Groups of Non-Experienced Runners vs. Experienced Distance Runners"
3rd Place Awards:
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Mac Meagher - "Analyzing Effect of Ventilation on Indoor Air Pollution"