Discovery

Science Fair Student Success

Sixteen-year-old Catherine Muller has gone from winning the Premier Award at the 1993 ECNZ New Zealand Science Fair to being the top zoology entrant at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Birmingham, Alabama.

A student at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School in Wellington, Catherine investigated the control of mosquito larvae using extracts from five poisonous New Zealand plants. Her project `Beat the Bite' found that the unripe karaka berries were most effective in killing the larvae.

Winners at ISEF were chosen from among 937 exhibitors representing students from the United States and from over 25 countries. The winners in each of the categories receive a plaque and an award of US$500. Catherine was also offered a four-year scholarship to Alabama University, worth US$50,000.

The judges were most impressed by the breadth of Catherine's work, especially by the fact that her work was unaided. Most top projects at the ISEF are conducted with the help of University or research centre facilities, equipment and advice. New Zealand Science Fair exhibitors are expected to come up with the original topics and to have done most of the work themselves.

Colin Percy, Chairman of the New Zealand Science Fairs Board, which administers the Science Fairs on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand says "All the many teachers, Kiwanis and sponsors who are associated with the Science Fairs will be delighted with Catherine's success. Her outstanding achievement places Catherine in the top 30 of 900 students from around the world."