MHS Freshman Competes at International Science Fair

Erica Budina, a Medford High School freshman, began a science journey from the High School Science Fair to competition at Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. A 2002 book on bioplastics sparked the interest in the topic for Erica’s project, A Quest for a Stronger Bioplastic. Erica thought, “How can society improve upon or surpass this research?”

Erica successfully competed at the Medford High School Science Fair, winning first place in her grade category. This was Erica’s introduction to competing in science fairs and she humbly credits her family and high school science faculty for her success.

“Many people gave me guidance. Ms. Ensign gave me support and motivation and my parents motivated me, too. (Dr.) Brandl prepared me for the last step and Mr. Cieri gave good advice,” said Erica.

Erica attended the Medford Public Schools from kindergarten to the present. She began at the Davenport Elementary School, attended the Brooks Elementary School for grade two through grade five, and attended the Andrews Middle School before coming to MHS.

After competing in the local science fair Erica went on to the Massachusetts Regional Science & Engineering Fair held at Somerville High School. There she tied for first place with a student from Lexington High. Her accomplishment came with an invitation to be a Massachusetts delegate to the International Science and Engineering Fair, an honor reserved for only eighteen other students in State.

From the regional competition she was off to the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair at M.I.T. where she was presented the Micheline M. Mathews Roth Award for Excellence in Research. This award, to be recognized for her research, was most important for Erica. She says, “I did the research without going to a research laboratory.”

At the event she also won the William K. Richardson Patent Award, which included the cost of the patent application. At the conclusion of the awards ceremony Erica boarded a plane to Los Angeles to compete at Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair. This would be the first time a student from the Medford Public Schools would compete at the international level.

Erica described her experience as “the most amazing week of my life; meeting people from so many countries all with one goal of improving the world through their projects.” She was “inspired” by the persistence and dedication of the participants who competed at the ISEF in prior years and returned to compete again. Here, Erica won the US Air Force 1st Place Award presented at the ISEF Special Award Ceremony.

Erica returned home to Medford to her parents and three-year old brother and resumed her interests in reading the classics and science fiction, and playing piano. She is a multi-talented student who also participates in figure skating lessons in her spare time. At MHS she is a member of Roots and Shoots, the Mathematics Team, the Crew Team, the Orchestra and Interact, a high school collaboration with the Medford Rotary Club for the purpose of community service. Erica is best described as an inquisitive and thoughtful young woman who has a bright future ahead of her.

– Submitted by Carolyn Joy, Director, Math and Science Department, Medford Public Schools. Pictured above, left to right: Ellie Tishler, Director of Corporate Development, Barnas G.Monteith, MSSEF Chair, Dr. Micheline M. Mathews-Roth, Erica Budina, and Matt Noyes, NECN Meteorologist and MSSEF Ceremony emcee. Courtesy photo.