Through programs including the school’s Advanced Scientific Research class (ASR), NC students enjoy access to extensive research opportunities. Several students pursuing these opportunities develop research projects centered around issues relating to their passions. At the 2016 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair, NC seniors Fatima Elfakahany and Lindsey Deutsch earned impressive state level finishes for research projects they spent over a year and a half developing.

At the state-level competition, Elfakahany placed second honors among her division for her work examining the effect of Microplastics on Daphnia Magna Mortality. Adding to NC’s recognition at the event, Deutsch’s study of the Correlation between Performance Sports and Eating Disorders in adolescent females won fourth honors for her division. Reflecting on the experience and her achievement, Elfakahany explained she felt “very shocked and very grateful for the judges seeing how much work I put in.”

The seniors advanced to the state-level science fair after excelling at the Cobb-Paulding Regional Science Fair on January 30, where Elfakahany won first within her division and Deutsch placed first overall. Both winners then spent March 30 through April 2 in Athens competing at the state-level fair.

Despite the rigorous three day schedule, Deutsch enjoyed the opportunity to present her research to interested professionals from athletic and nutritional fields. As press and community members perused the projects, Deutsch discussed her work with individuals who “are part of the sports that see this issue of eating disorders and could help try to fix it.”

Both students began their projects in NC’s junior level year-long ASR course, and extended them afterwards independently or through the Advanced Scientific Internship course. Students in such classes develop their own research projects concerning issues they select and study.

Nena Tippens, NC honors chemistry and ASR teacher, expressed pride in both students’ dedication and success. Concerning how Elfakahany and Deutsch developed such high level studies, Tippens explained they both developed “some of the best thought out plans and were both really hard workers.”

Despite her first overall regional finish and fourth honors place at state, Deutsch still hopes to continue working with her research over athletic competition and eating disorders occurrence. She plans to pursue possible publication of her research as she enjoys knowing “[she is] potentially saving a life down the line and making a difference in girls’ self esteem.”

Elfakahany and Deutsch’s success should encourage NC students currently developing research projects to pursue such avenues of competition and publication. As warriors produce groundbreaking research and discoveries, NC will continue as a major force of knowledge development in the greater community.