Supreme Award winner, Te Awamutu College student Aleks Apperly with his entry, Antibiotic Aspiration.
Our district should be proud of its young scientists, with numerous local winners in this year's NIWA Waikato Regional Science and Technology Fair.
Standout performer was Year 10 Te Awamutu College student Aleks Apperly with his entry, Antibiotic Aspiration.
He won the Year 9-10 Living World section, before winning a Supreme Award, runner-up Best In Fair.
Aleks spent a year working on his project finding 24 different fungi in Otorohanga parks and testing them for their antibacterial properties.
He says he was inspired to find out if any New Zealand fungi have antibiotic properties after hearing that some bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
"The majority of the antibiotics we have today are derived from living micro-organisms such as bacteria.
"Around 90 per cent of antibiotics are isolated from bacteria moulds and fungi.
"So I expected there would be at least one positive sign of antibiotic activity that would work against the Escherichia coli (E-coli) in the incubated petri dishes."
Aleks was correct - four of his samples indicated signs of antibiotic activity.
For his investigation he picked up a $600 cash award, a NIWA trophy and a ticket to attend the Kudos Awards.
The Kudos Awards recognise world class scientists, research and innovations in the Waikato region.
Aleks will have his science project displayed at the event and will be recognised on stage.
Te Awamutu Intermediate pupil Cheng-yu Dong (page 5) picked up a Major Award for his entry Camo Vac.
After realising that some elderly people and pregnant women had difficulty bending down, he created a type of 'smart bin' vacuum cleaner.
Sensors turn on a vacuum at the bottom of the bin when dust/dirt etc is swept towards it, sucking it up and turning off again after a set time.
It took him months of work (and a pile of discarded parts) to create the Camo Vac.
Chen-yu was first in the Year 7-8 Junior Inventions and Technical Innovations section then went on to win the Education Perfect Award for Best Inventions and Technical Innovations exhibit at the fair.
He is set to develop it further, with market research at Highfield Country Estate, and is also entering it into the Bright Sparks competition.
Logan Hammerton from Pirongia School was also named in the list of Major Award winners.
He collected a University of Waikato Science Communication Award for his entry, Growing Green Gold.
His investigation into farm fertilisers (agricultural lime and urea) won the Year 7 Material World section, but it was his clear communication during an interview with judges that won him the University of Waikato award.
Pirongia School student Elina Karppinen received a Special Award for her entry Power Prints.
Her investigation into the strength of 3D infill printing won her the NZ Statistical Association Special award for the excellent application of statistical methods and reasoning.
Ohaupo pupil Sam Stewart also received a special award for his entry Gluten Globs.
He was awarded the NZ Baking Industry Research Trust special award for the best use of flour or bakery products in a food-related project.
His investigation was highly commended in the Year 8 Living World section.
Other results: Pirongia pupil Josh Henderson was second in the Year 7-8 Physical World for his entry The Sugar Solution.
Te Pahu pupils Sophie Lewis and Nicholas Geer combined to place second in the Year 7-8 Junior Inventions and Technical Innovations section.
Te Awamutu Intermediate pupil Samuel Shaw was third in the Year 7 Living World section with his entry Supa Manuka.
Erin Butterfield of Ohaupo School was third in the Open Scientific Photography section, while Sam Stewart from Ohaupo School was highly commended in the Year 8 Living World section.
Natasha Linton and Christine Shaw from St Patrick's School were Highly Commended in the Year 7 Living World section.
Special mention: Benjamin Chisnell (Patricia Avenue Unit at Te Awamutu College) took part in his seventh consecutive Waikato Science Fair this year.
Ben's Final Challenge investigated the result of heavy rain on different soil types.
He included photos from all of his previous entries as a final farewell.
Te Awamutu College teacher Nataliia Kravchenko says Benjamin puts a huge amount of time and effort into his projects.