Trojans Competitive In Science

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This spring Mililani’s inquisitive young scientists continued to make a name for themselves in state and international circles.

* Viola Mocz, the latest Mocz sibling to win big for scientific research, took first place for junior research at the state science fair for “A Fossil Fish Model for Robotic Fish: Learning From Evolutionary Hydrodynamics To Design Better Underwater Vehicles.” The win earned the Mililani Middle School eighth-grader a spot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college science competition, held in San Jose, Calif., in mid May. (Her older sister Lucia took third at that fair last year for the Trojans and is now a freshman at Harvard.)

* Mililani High sophomore Kelsi Watanabe placed sixth overall at the state fair April 5-7 for her work on the conceptual design of an aerostat, or stationary aircraft. She also earned a trip to the international fair.

* Mililani High science teacher Nel Venzon attended the San Jose competition after receiving the HSSEF Science Teacher of the Year award (and an all-expense paid trip to the fair). He accompanied Watanabe, who is his student.

* Mililani Middle teacher Kim Maunakea, Mocz’s teacher, also received a first-place teaching award in the junior research division from the State Science Fair Council.