Alexandra Sciallo and Megan Robertson with their Life Science Awards. Both Megan and Alexandra were invited to attend the Final Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 16.

Five St. Mark School students recently competed in the Connecticut State Science and Engineering Fair held at Quinnipiac University. The fair was celebrating its 65th year and more than 600 middle and high school students entered their science projects to be judged. More than $ 150,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the Fair’s 196 finalists.

The following St. Mark students received awards:

Emily Bump, grade 7, received second honors for her project, “Taste Buds, Are You a Super Taster?”

Grant diBenedetto, grade 7, received third honors for his project, “Do the Eyes Have it?”

Michaela Luk, grade 7, received second honors for her project, “Transfer of Heat.”

Alexandra Sciallo, grade 8, received first honors for her project, “The Effect of Chlorine on Extractable DNA.” She received a CSF Medallion and Acrylic Award.

Megan Robertson, grade 8, received first honors for her project, “The Phytoremediation Efficacy of Elodea Canadensis, Lemna Minor, and Brassica Juncea in Copper Sulfate Contaminated Water” and also received the following awards: Pfizer Life Sciences Award, 3rd place in the state-Life Sciences 8th grade, $ 100, trophy, and an invitation to compete in the Broadcom MASTERS Science Fair; Environmental Sciences Award, second place in the state-Middle School Life Sciences, $ 200, and a trophy; and Alumni Botany Award — Middle School, $ 100 award winner.