For Xinhe “Jacky” Zheng ’13, spring break wasn’t about team training or fun in the sun.
“This spring break I stayed on campus because I had a very important and exciting thing to do,” said Jacky. “I participated in the Connecticut Science Fair at Quinnipiac University.”
Now in its 64th year, the Connecticut Science Fair is an annual, statewide science and engineering competition open to all 7th through 12th grade students. Made possible in large part by United Technologies Corporation, the event draws more than 15,000 students from 120 schools each year.
“I first heard about the science fair from Matthew Petroff '11,” notes Jacky. “Matthew was a finalist at the fair six years in a row. I wanted to carry on his tradition of excellence in science and his passion for competing in the Connecticut Science Fair.”
Inspired by a biomedical program he attended last summer, Jacky designed an independent study on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). With help from science teacher Michael McAloon and psychology teacher/school counselor Dr. Rachel Russell, Jacky studied visuo-spatial perception and geometric cognition in patients with AD. They explored how the pathological abnormality in AD patients’ brains--the protein tangle and plaque--changes their neurocognitive behavior. The study combined Jacky’s interest in math and psychology with elements of physiology, pathology, dissections and epidemiology. He took his project to the 64th annual Connecticut Science Fair. After the prejudging, Jacky was named a first honors finalist in the life science division. All finalists must present their projects on judging day.
“I talked to more than 20 judges in five hours,” Jacky explained. “It was essential but difficult to express my work and thoughts to different people, ranging from scientists with relevant research interests to a Navy officer.”
The math judges showed particular interest in the way Jacky’s project integrated geometry and multivariable calculus problems with cognitive study and complicated statistical methods for data analysis. Overall, the reviews were glowing. In the Pfizer Life Sciences Awards category, the judges named Jacky a finalist, life science senior high, for which he was awarded a medal and trophy. He also earned second place in the high school division of the Associated Teachers Of Mathematics In Connecticut (ATOMIC)/People’s United Bank Mathematics Award competition. The prizes included $100 from ATOMIC, $300 from People’s United Bank, a trophy and a TI calculator. Finally, Jacky earned a certificate and $200 prize as the winner of the Otero Family Award.
Jacky is thrilled to have participated in the event:
“I’m so grateful to the Connecticut Science Fair. Not only did I learn how to conduct scientific research, write a research paper and make a science poster, but I also learned so much by reading my peers’ work and talking with the scientists. I feel so inspired and would like to continue my study in science and math both at Taft and in college. I encourage Taft scholars to take this opportunity to experience the PhD life during high school."
Jacky in the lab and competing at Quinnipiac University.