Science Fair is one of proud traditions that Mililani High School competes and flourishes in each year. Under the coordination of the Learning Centers and through the efforts of our exceptional Science Teachers, we support and guide students through the Investigatory Process.
Each year, MHS holds its own school Science Fair - where approximately 60+ projects share their projects, demonstrate their findings and contributions to the fields of STEM, and display their growth in the STEM Disciplines. These students compete for spots to progress to the Central District Science and Engineering Fair, where they present to community professionals across a variety of STEM disciplines and network with other students in both the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua and Radford-Aiea-Moanalua complex area of schools. At this fair, the top two projects are guaranteed progression to the coveted Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Otherwise, other successful students at the District Fair are eligible to progress to the largest challenge yet: The Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair, hosted by the Hawaii Academy of Science.
Supplementary to into the Science Fair is the Pacific Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), an enriching STEM program that brings students from all across the Pacific together to share their original independent research projects with peers and professionals. The Hawaii JSHS participates as the regional competition for the National JSHS - both are programs are sponsored by the United States Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force (Tri-Services) and hosted by the Hawaii Academy of Science. The competition was a two-day event where students gave oral presentations to a panel of judges on the 1st day and selected finalists presented on the 2nd day, followed by an awards ceremony. This year, the symposium was held at the Bishop Museum.
Click on the blue hyperlinks to view their digital project pages!
Tiffany Cruz, 11
The 2025 ISEF Hawaii Delegation - with students from all across Hawaii!
Tiffany was the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship from Arizona State University.
Our very own Tiffany Cruz was awarded 3rd OVERALL at the 2025 HSSEF - a feat that MHS has not been awarded since 2018!
Hayden Ramiscal (11) - Combating Hawaii's Beach Plastic Crisis Through The Use of Custom And Open Source Pultrusion System to Transform Polyethylene Terephthalate Into 3D Printing Filament
1st in Category - Environmental Engineering (ENEV)
Special Award - $100 from the Hawaii Water Environment Association (HWEA)
Zong-Lin “Tony” Tsou (11) - Evaluating the Efficiency of Different Bracing Designs on Towers
Special Award - $100 from the American Public Works Association, Hawaii Chapter
Jace Ramiscal (11) - Determining the Viability of Ananas comosus Fibers within Polymer-Based Composites Purposed for Medical Application
1st in Category - Material Sciences (MATS)
Tiffany Cruz (11) - Analyzing Lattice-Based Threshold Signature Schemes for Securing Message Authentication in Preparation for Y2Q
1st in Category - Systems Software (SOFT)
3rd Overall at HSSEF
Previously qualified for the International Science and Engineering Fair
Calina Ryan (11) - Predicting the Early Presence of Maladaptive Behaviors Using Deep Neural Network Techniques
3rd in Category - Behavioral and Social Sciences (BEHA)
Reid Tamanaha (11) - Assessing Egeria densa's Potential as a Decontaminant of Agricultural Runoff
Special Award - Certificate from the Stock Junior Water Prize
You can view these students project boards at this link.
Tiffany Cruz - Analyzing Lattice-Based Threshold Signature Schemes for Securing Message Authentication in Quantum Key Distribution Systems
Hayden Ramiscal - Hawaii Beach Plastic: Waste to 3D Printing Material
Calina Ryan - Predicting the Early Presence of Maladaptive Behaviors Using Deep Neural Network Techniques
Jace Ramiscal - Utilizing Ananas comosus Fibers to Fabricate Medical Equipment
Reid Tamanaha - Assessing Algae's Potential as a Decontaminant of Agricultural Runoff
Zong-Lin Tsou - Evaluating the Efficiency of Different Bracing Designs on Towers
Alternates:
Arianna Okeson - How Does Temperature Affect the Glow of Luminol?
Isabella Budd - Home-Based Biodegradable Plastic
Kaitlyn Bitterman - Increased Germination and Chlorophyll Concentration Through Electromagnetic Field Exposure of Charging Devices
Additionally, we were fortunate enough to clinch one of the coveted direct invitations to the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair held in Columbus, Oahio in May 2025.
Congratulations to Tiffany Cruz and her project Analyzing Lattice-Based Threshold Signature Schemes for Securing Message Authentication in Quantum Key Distribution Systems.
You can view these students project boards at this link.
Tiffany Cruz - Analyzing Lattice-Based Threshold Signature Schemes for Securing Message Authentication in Quantum Key Distribution Systems
Hayden Ramiscal - Hawaii Beach Plastic: Waste to 3D Printing Material
Calina Ryan - Predicting the Early Presence of Maladaptive Behaviors Using Deep Neural Network Techniques
Bree Tominaga - Growing with Greywater: The Impact of Recycled Water on Plants
Jace Ramiscal - Utilizing Ananas comosus Fibers to Fabricate Medical Equipment
 Reid Tamanaha - Assessing Algae's Potential as a Decontaminant of Agricultural Runoff
Aliyah Sailusi - The Effectiveness of Different Essential Oils as a Bug RepellentÂ
Adam Chun - Just How Intelligent is Artificial Intelligence?
Arianna Okeson - How Does Temperature Affect the Glow of Luminol?
Isabella Budd - Home-Based Biodegradable Plastic
Zong-Lin Tsou - Evaluating the Efficiency of Different Bracing Designs on Towers
Preston Galera - The Effects of Alcohol Percentages on Bacteria
Yusuf Siddiqui - Analyzing the Effects of Light Wavelengths on Plant Growth
Angelina Fishman - Is Your Water Safe To Use?
Mina Darr - Data-Driven Earthquake Predictions With Neural Networks
Ayden Fujioka - What Type of Natural Materials that Make the Strongest Bioplastic
Kaitlyn Bitterman - Increased Germination and Chlorophyll Concentration Through Electromagnetic Field Exposure of Charging Devices
Ellen Aoki - Effects of Human Population on MicrobesÂ
Isaiah Villegas - Planting Protectors: How Plants in Hawai’i Help Combat Coastal Erosion
Danica Ibanez - Creating a Theoretical Framework to Quantifiably Measure the Effect of Temporal Symbiosis in Family Businesses
Click on the blue hyperlinks to view their digital project pages!
Lauren Johnson, 11
The 2024 ISEF Hawaii Delegation - with students from all across Hawaii!
Lauren was the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship from Arizona State University
Tiffany Cruz - The Efficiency of Photovoltaic CellÂ
$50 award - Emergency Amateur Radio Club
2nd Place - Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design (EGSD)
Angeline Dimaya - Storm Drain Danger
Danica Ibanez - The Effect of Accuracy of Self-Predicted Success/Failure of Self-Efficiency
3rd Place - Behavioral and Social Sciences (BEHA)
Lauren Johnson - The Growth of Spinach in Vertical and Horizontal Hydroponic
3rd Place - Plant Sciences (PLNT); ISEF FINALIST
Peyton Okunami - Food for Aquaponic Fishes that are Beneficial to Adzuki Plants
Jace Ramiscal - Delaying the Decalcification of Teeth
$1000 award - Hawaii Dental Service
Hayden Ramiscal - Testing The Infill Pattern For The Durability Of 3D Printed Parts
Calina Ryan - Neural Networks Can Be Used to Predict the Future of Diseases
2nd Place - Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBIO)
$100 award - Saul Price Aina Haina Community Association Meteorology Award
Reid Tamanaha - Increased Phone Usage on Necks' Range of Motion
Jacob Ventura Gomez - Effects of Different Types of Water on Plant Growth
Eryn Yanuaria - Testing the Durability of Biodegradable Plastics
$100 award - American Public Works Association, Hawaii Section
$50 award - Illuminating Engineering Society, Hawaii Chapter
Click the hyperlinks to view their project slides!
Tiffany Cruz - The Efficiency of Photovoltaic CellÂ
Angeline Dimaya - Storm Drain Danger
Danica Ibanez - The Effect of Accuracy of Self-Predicted Success/Failure of Self-Efficiency
Lauren Johnson - The Growth of Spinach in Vertical and Horizontal Hydroponic
Peyton Okunami - Food for Aquaponic Fishes that are Beneficial to Adzuki Plants
Jace Ramiscal - Delaying the Decalcification of Teeth
Hayden Ramiscal - Testing The Infill Pattern For The Durability Of 3D Printed Parts
Calina Ryan - Neural Networks Can Be Used to Predict the Future of Diseases
Leesa Takara - Quest for Extraterrestrial Habitability: Analyzing Ammonia on Ganymede
Reid Tamanaha - Increased Phone Usage on Necks' Range of Motion
Jacob Ventura Gomez - Effects of Different Types of Water on Plant Growth
Eryn Yanuaria - Testing the Durability of Biodegradable Plastics
Additionally, we were fortunate enough to clinch one of the coveted direct invitations to the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair held in Dallas, Texas in May 2023.
Congratulations to Lauren Johnson [pictured, standing record to the left] and her project "The Growth of Spinach in Vertical and Horizontal Hydroponic".
Click the hyperlinks to view their project slides!
Tiffany Cruz - The Efficiency of Photovoltaic CellÂ
Angeline Dimaya - Storm Drain Danger
Trinity Hyunh - The Correlation between Human Emotion and Colors
Danica Ibanez - The Effect of Accuracy of Self-Predicted Success/Failure of Self-Efficiency
Lauren Johnson - The Growth of Spinach in Vertical and Horizontal Hydroponic
Catherine-Desneiges (Zozo) Lauzon - How Strong is a Stitch?
Amelia Malone - The Impact Hydroponic, Aquaponic, and Regular Soil has on Plants
Peyton Okunami - Food for Aquaponic Fishes that are Beneficial to Adzuki Plants
Jace Ramiscal - Delaying the Decalcification of Teeth
Hayden Ramiscal - Testing The Infill Pattern For The Durability Of 3D Printed Parts
Calina Ryan - Neural Networks Can Be Used to Predict the Future of Diseases
Leesa Takara - Quest for Extraterrestrial Habitability: Analyzing Ammonia on Ganymede
Reid Tamanaha - Increased Phone Usage on Necks' Range of Motion
Vy Tran - Effects of Boric Acid, Borax on Ants
Jacob Ventura Gomez - Effects of Different Types of Water on Plant Growth
Sophia Wang - Does Biological Sex Affect Visual Reaction Times in High School Students
Alisha Yano - The Effect of Temperature on the pH of Kimchi During the Process of Fermentation
Eryn Yanuaria - Testing the Durability of Biodegradable Plastics
Kalei`iwi Kila - The Effect of Screen Time on Morning Alertness
Lars Tamondong - Possible Effects Unfiltered Water has on Plant Growth and Life
Click on the blue hyperlinks to view their digital project pages!
Cassidy Ibanez, 11
The 2023 ISEF Hawaii Delegation - with students from all across Hawaii!
Kenneth Yi, 11
The following students achieved the following awards at the 2023 HSSEF:
Cassidy Ibanez (11) - Biomass-Powered Desalination Year 3: Combustion Tuning by Closed Loop Control System
2nd Place - Engineering Technology: Statistics and Dynamics (ETSD)
$300 award - American Water Works Association, Hawai'i Section
$300 award - University of Hawai'i at Manoa, College of Engineering
Sydney Yamamoto (10) - The Effects of Ocean Acidification on Shellfish
$150 award, certificate, and book - Friends of Hanauma Bay
Lauren Gerber (12) - The Use of Moss as a Cover Crop and Bio-filter for Excess Sodium Chloride (NaCl) in Hawaiian Coastal Farm Soil
3rd Place - Plant Sciences (PLNT)
Certificate - Office of Naval Research U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps
$150 award - Hawai'i Botanical Society
Jaycee Hasegawa (10) - The Effect of Colored Mirrors on Plant Growth
Certificate - NASA Earth System Science Award
Hubert Yang (10) - Freshwater Acidification and its Effects on Land-Based Flora
$100 award - Hawai'i Water Environmental Association
Kenneth Yi (11) - Decontamination of Heavy Metals Through Phytoremediation by NativeHawaiian Plants
1st Place - Environmental Engineering (ENEV)
$100 award - Hawai'i Association of Environmental Professionals
$100 award - Purple Mai'a
Our cohort, prior to the start of the awards ceremony.
Our cohort of students progressing to the 2023 Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair
The student projects that will be progressing to and competing in the 2023 Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair:
Lauren Gerber - The Use of Moss as a Cover Crop and Bio-filter for Excess Sodium Chloride (NaCl) in Hawaiian Coastal Farm Soil
Kaden Murakami and Kyli Murakami - Hydroponics: Soil Free Growing
Ava Maclachlan - The Effect of Different Cleaning Methods on Lettuce and Strawberry Bacteria Count
Hubert Yang - The Effect of Car-Polluted Run-Off Water on Plant Growth
Jaycee Hasegawa - The Effect of Colored Mirrors on Plant Growth
Cassidy Ibanez - Biomass Powered Desalination Year III: Combustion Tuning by Closed Loop Control System
Mariko Yonemura - Cleaning Solutions made from Environmentally Friendly Substances
Leesa Takara - Determining Precision of the MuSCAT3 Instrument with Transit Photometry
Kenneth Yi - Decontamination of Heavy Metals Through Phytoremediation by Native Hawaiian Plants
Additionally, we were fortunate enough to clinch both of the coveted direct invitations to the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair held in Dallas, Texas in May 2023.
Cassidy Ibanez (11), with her project:Â
Biomass Powered Desalination Year III: Combustion Tuning by Closed Loop Control System
Kenneth Yi (11), with his project:
 Decontamination of Heavy Metals Through Phytoremediation by Native Hawaiian Plants
Click the hyperlinks to view their project slides!
Lauren Gerber - The Use of Moss as a Cover Crop and Bio-filter for Excess Sodium Chloride (NaCl) in Hawaiian Coastal Farm Soil
Kaden Murakami and Kyli Murakami - Hydroponics: Soil Free Growing
Ava Maclachlan - The Effect of Different Cleaning Methods on Lettuce and Strawberry Bacteria Count
Ethan Sare - The Impact of Music in Subliminal Messaging
Exodus Ramos-Pacanza - Homemade Filtered Water Vs. Tap Waters
Sydney Yamamoto - How does ocean acidification affect shellfish?
Hubert Yang - The Effect of Car-Polluted Run-Off Water on Plant Growth
Miki Haitsuka and Annabel Fong - Examining Water Filtration with Total Dissolved Solids Levels
Kyle Borromeo - Stay On, Brilliant Bronze: Copper
Jaycee Hasegawa - The Effect of Colored Mirrors on Plant Growth
Cassidy Ibanez - Biomass Powered Desalination Year III: Combustion Tuning by Closed Loop Control System
Mariko Yonemura - Cleaning Solutions made from Environmentally Friendly Substances
Leesa Takara - Determining Precision of the MuSCAT3 Instrument with Transit Photometry
Ava Donald and Raphael Pecoraro - Evaluating the Tensile Strength of Dypsis lutescens
Reina Servano - Conceptualizing the Feasibility using Guidance Navigation Control Solutions and Supervised Reinforcement Learning for Martian Ascent
Russel Winters - Hard Water Around Oahu
Kenneth Yi - Decontamination of Heavy Metals Through Phytoremediation by Native Hawaiian Plants
Several of our learning center students participated in the Hawaii Pacific Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, an enriching STEM program that brings students from all across the Pacific together to share their original independent research projects with peers and professionals. The Hawaii JSHS participates as the regional competition for the National JSHS - both are programs are sponsored by the United States Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force (Tri-Services) and hosted by the Hawaii Academy of Science. The competition was a two-day event where students gave oral presentations to a panel of judges on the 1st day and selected finalists presented on the 2nd day, followed by an awards ceremony. This year, the symposium was held at the Bishop Museum.
Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the symposium:
Ava Donald (11) - Processing a Biodegradable, Lightweight, Durable, Plant-Based, Fibrous Material Out of Lolium multiflorum
Belise Swartwood (11) - Comparing Convolutional Neural Network Strategies to Label the Tricuspid Valve on MRI Images on the Heart
Cassidy Ibanez (11)- Biomass Powered Desalination Year 3: Automated Combustion Tuning Using a Closed Loop Control System [SEMI FINALIST]
Ethan Sare (10) - The Impact of Music on Subliminal Messaging and Human Behavior
Jaycee Hasegawa (10) - Effects of Colored Mirrors on Plant Growth
Leesa Takara (10) - Determining Precision of the MuSCAT3 Instrument with Transit Photometry
Kenneth Yi (11) - Decontamination of Heavy Metals Through Phytoremediation by Native Hawaiian Plants