Twenty-eight Salisbury High School scholars presented the results of their independent research projects before judges from education, business, the sciences, health and other disciplines at Easton Area High School Feb. 22.

Some 2,000 students from Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, Carbon and Northampton counties competed in the 80th annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. Students were competing for cash and scholarship awards against a matrix of criteria and were judged on how well they met the requirements of their research studies.

The science categories from which the scholars could choose their projects included: behavioral, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computers science, earth and space, ecology, mathematics, microbiology, physics and zoology.

The SHS students, their grade level and topics are as follows:

Behavorial science

Andrew Fletcher, grade 9, "Distortion: Do We Adjust?"

Biochemistry

Kyra Bruns, grade 9, "Testing Acid Reducers on Artificial Gastric Juice;" Jacob Glenister, grade 9, "Effect of Mouthwash on Tooth Mass;" Gina Nadraws, grade 9, "Strand Strength;" Leandra Roelker, grade 9, "Fast Fats: the Fats in Fast Food;" Marisol Rosario, grade 9, "How Does Ibuprofen and Dayquil Affect Stomach pH?"

Biology

Tyler Keller, grade 9, "The Black Walnut Effect;" Alex Nicholas, grade 10, "What is the Best Exercise?"

Botany

Benjamin Wiener, grade 9, "How does pH Affect Pea Plants?;" John Yurconic, grade 9, "The Favorable Fertilizer"

Chemistry

Jessica Laudadio, grade 9, "The Safer Sunscreen"

Kevin Esslinger, grade 10, "Testing the Mpemba Effect"

Abigail Garrigan, grade 10, "Which fruit or vegetable Produces the Most Electricity?"

Christopher Trenge, grade 10, "Factors That Affect Glowstick Longevity"

Ecology

Jessette Long, grade 9, ecology, "Composting With and Without Worms;" Mahlon Reihman, grade 9, "Ant Repellent, Natural or Synthetic?;" Lindsay Bauer, grade 10, "Are Eco-Friendly Detergents Harmful to Grass?"

Ecology and microbiology

Carolyn Boulay, grade 10, "An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?"

Microbiology

Nicole Fackler, grade 9, "The Meaner Cleaner;" Mason Groff, grade 9, "Bacteria Killing Breath Mints;" Alesandra Hankee, grade 9, "Water Purification;" Madison Hermann, grade 9, "Dirty Dollars;" Caitlin Hoenig, grade 9, "The Effects of Juices in Antibiotics;" Casey Laudadio, grade 9, "The Effectiveness of Salt as a Preservative;" Rania Nimeh, grade 9, "Mouth Microorganisms;" Brooke Rogers, grade 9, "Bacteria Growth in a Water Bottle;" Sabrina Sizer, grade 9, "Bacteria Found on Ice"

Physics

Sophie Niessenbaum, grade 10, "Solar Panel Positioning for Electricity Production."

The students were mentored by Ruth Smith, biology teacher, PJAS coach and science department chair at Salisbury High School.

Those with the highest qualifying scores will go on to the PJAS state competition at Pennsylvania State University, State College, in May.