The project which won Amelie Chen first place in the Territorial Science Fair High School Division was an expansion of her project from last year’s event about algal biofuel farming in American Samoa.
Her theory is that using algae as a biofuel can replace use of diesel fuel in American Samoa, because algae is both naturally abundant and grows at a fast rate.
The junior at Pacific Horizons School said she created an entire computer program in python to calculate weather patterns in American Samoa.
“This project is based on what I saw here in American Samoa. I found a problem with the abundance of algae and through many experiments, I was able to create a solution for the island,” she explained.
Amelie looks forward to represent American Samoa once again and compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles next month. She won 3rd place in biochemistry at last year’s ISSF with the same project.
“I am really excited to share my findings, my research, and show the world a project from American Samoa that could potentially change the future for better.”
About winning first place for the second consecutive year, Amelie said, “I continue to feel grateful for the opportunities presented by DOE, my school, my teachers, and my principal and there were many AMAZING projects at the competition.”
She added, “I hope to be able to inspire our youth to “dare to create” because this project of mine has placed in international and national competitions, and in the end, it has all stemmed from American Samoa.”
