There is a common archetype of the overachieving Webbie who is curing cancer in high school and destined for a Nobel Prize, but in Science Fair Research Lab, it is actually real. 

Since its start in February 2020, the Science Fair Research Lab afternoon activity has provided Webb students the resources and funding to pursue their own science projects. It allows students to participate in the LA Science Fair and eventually the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). 

However, because of high demand, Science Fair Research Lab has implemented an application process, limiting numbers to just 13 people. 

“There were almost 40 people this year, and there are only around 13 spots for the LA Science Fair,” said Lisa Nacionales, chair of the science department who runs the activity. “The application process means that people need to flesh out their ideas beforehand, and each project can get the attention and resources it deserves.” 

Students have involved themselves in a series of highly technical and cutting-edge projects this year, and this article showcases four of them.  

Jonas Sun (‘25) demonstrates his Gazelink product, which is able to detect eye movements and interpret the data. Here, he is using the product to type using purely eye movements, which can help ALS patients communicate. Last year, he earned a second-place award at ISEF for this product.  

This year, he is continuing his project investigating how eye movements correlate with student stress levels at Webb. 

“Last year my project was a mobile application that can help ALS patients communicate with their eyes,” Jonas said. “This year I’m planning on continuing my project by analyzing how students’ stress can be expressed through eye movements.” 

Using a deep learning AI tool by Google, Jonas can automatically detect users’ face and eye expressions. He then analyzes the data to come up with conclusions on student stress. 

Andrew Huang (‘26) uses a microscope to observe nematodes, using a flame to keep the environment sterile.  

He is investigating his hypothesis on how a certain hormone can lead to excessive levels of iron in the brain and in turn, Alzheimer’s disease. He prefers to keep the specific hormone a secret for now as his research is currently confidential.  

This research has the potential to change the approach of the scientific and medical community to treating Alzheimer’s disease, helping to pave the way for a possible cure.  

“Affirmation of this pathway in neurons will shift the current medical approach to curing Alzheimer’s disease,” Andrew said. “This breakthrough would change the current approach from using therapeutics to seal up the blood-brain barrier to actually investigate the effects that therapeutics have on the neurons themselves.” 

He plans to use Webb resources to conduct experiments on nematodes, which are a common yet cheap test animal for neuroscience research.  

Charlie Zhang (‘27) looks at a 3d-printed model of his novel reaction wheel design.  

Reaction wheels are devices that allow satellites to store angular momentum, allowing them to navigate and stabilize themselves.  

“I’m trying to make it so that it stores momentum and energy more efficiently so that the satellites can extend their service life and not spin out,” Charlie said.  

He hopes that his design, which adds movable weights, can change its moment of inertia in real time. Charlie also aims to more efficiently store kinetic energy to power the satellite’s functions without bulky batteries. In a couple weeks, he will test the energy conversion of the wheel compared to a normal reaction wheel with a static moment of inertia. 

Claire Yu (‘27) observes the effects of dandelion seeds on ants. 

Ever since she had an ant infestation in her dorm, Claire Yu (‘27) has been fascinated with Oleic acid, a chemical cue ants release when they die.  

“Oleic acid is also contained in their food which is dandelion seeds,” Claire said. “As such, I’m researching what the difference is between Oleic acid in food and the Oleic acid in the dead ants.” 

She is currently working on an extraction method for Oleic acid from dandelion seeds and ants, which includes mashing the ants and dandelion seeds before titration.