My post high school goals include: I would like to go to college for an aerospace engineering major. Undecided where to attend but out of state would be preferred if at all possible. After I recieve my masters degree, I would likely want to be employed at a defense industry such as Raytheon, Boeing, or Lockheed Martin.

STEM courses I have taken: Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Zoology, Intro to STEAM and Industrial Robotics. Currently, I am enrolled in Precalculus, Honors Physics, and Honors Scientific Research.

Project abstract: My project involved adding ferrofluids, magnetic particles submerged in oil that typically make spikes when a magnetic field is applied, to oil in a controlled oil spill cleanup simulation. I tested different variables including different types of oil, different water temperatures, different magnet strengths, different amounts of ferrofluids, and different amounts of agitation (stirring) to see which, if any, worked best to achieve maximum efficiency. Results indicated that mineral oil was cleaned best when compared to motor oil and crude oil. Statistical tests were run for all my trials and it was found that only different ferrofluid amounts were statistically significant. Ferrofluids could offer a promising and efficient method of cleaning certain types of oil spills while mitigating environmental impacts. Further research is needed to better understand ferrofluid application in larger-scale scenarios and how to optimize oil spill remediation with ferrofluids when combined with other oil spill remediation methods.

Project manuscript is located here.