Philadelphia's young minds were on full display at Temple University's George Washington Carver Science Fair, where students from the surrounding area showcased projects that ranged from robotic engineering to environmental studies. Temple's annual event, a staple since 1979, highlights the city's commitment to fostering diversity in STEM education by bringing together hundreds of students to its campus to present their scientific investigations. Among the participants, Veronica Gonzalez stood out with her project "Nondominant Arm vs. Robotic Arm," as reported by Temple University News.
Gonzalez, a Philadelphia Academy Charter High School student, assembled an eye-catching hydroponic prosthetic arm model using everyday items such as cardboard and syringes. As she presented her project, Gonzalez demonstrated the arm's ability to lift objects by pumping water through it, revealing, "The syringes I use can hold up to 10 milliliters of water to pump water into the prosthetic arm model allowing it to effectively move in multiple directions and grab objects." Despite the innovation, she found limitations in the liquid used and the arm's grip strength compared to the non-dominant hand. "However, I discovered that I can't use certain liquids like oil because it is too dense," Gonzalez told Temple University News.
The fair also highlighted projects that examined environmental issues, bringing attention to the impact of urban forestry on climate. Ja'kiyah Wright, representing Universal Audenried Charter School, presented her study "Canopy Climate Control." Wright, through her research, offered insights into the role trees play in regulating temperatures within urban parks. According to the details she shared, Wright compared temperature readings from parks with varying levels of tree coverage and discovered significant differences. "I expected there to be a difference of 4 to 5 degrees in the weather of the parks, so I was surprised to discover there was a difference of 10 degrees," she said in a statement made by Temple Univesity News.
