Shea wins silver in regional science fair

Posted by Emily Myers on May 4, 2011

Months of after school science research pay off in prizes for Meghan Shea. A sophomore at Unionville High School, Shea won a silver medal at the Delaware Valley Science Fair.

One of her prizes is an all-expense paid trip to the 62nd Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, Calif. to compete against 1500 students from 65 countries. Her project is entitled “The Effect of Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Phosphorous Compounds on Bioremediation of Oil Spills by Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bascillus subtilis.”

Her interest in science, specifically marine biology, appeared when she was in elementary school. Shea has been to summer camps at John Hopkins to study biology and to Hawaii to study oceanography.

William Anderson got Meghan involved with the Science Fair competitions. Even though he is retired from teaching at Unionville High School, he is still involved with science students. Sandra Litvin has continued to work with Meghan and helped her connect to West Chester University that provided some of the resources for her project.

“The invaluable expertise provided by West Chester University professor Dr. Ressner allowed my project to reach heights I had never imagined,” said Meghan. “And now as I prepare to travel to Los Angeles, I have him as well as Mrs. Litvin, Mr. Burgess and Mr. Anderson to thank.”

Shea said Ressner helped her to incorporate gas chromatography, a technique used to separate and identify compounds, into her project.

Shea’s prizes are listed on the Unionville High School Web Site and were reported at the last school board meeting.

her awards include:

Environmental Science, 1st Place in Category and Silver Medal winner;
Association for Women Geoscientists Special Award;

Future Scientist/US Dept. of Agriculture-Environmental Research Center Award;
Roy F. Weston Memorial Environmental Sciences Award ($500);

Invitation to participate in PA BioGENEious Competition in Harrisburg.

Megan leaves this Saturday for the International INTEL Science Fair in Los Angeles, CA for an all expense paid trip. Parents are discouraged from accompanying their young scientists because the week is full of activities. When these future scientists say, “Mom and dad, you don’t understand,” they may be right.

About Emily Myers

Emily Myers has lived and worked in Chadds Ford for over thirty five years. She founded the parent company of Chadds Ford Live, Decision Design Research, Inc., in 1982. ChaddsFordLive.com represents the confluence of Myers' long time, deep involvement in technology and community. Myers was a founding member of the Chadds Ford Business Association and currently serves on its board of directors. Her hobbies include bridge, golf, photography and Tai Chi. She lives with her husband, Jim Lebedda, in Chadds Ford Township.