by Emmilia Hartney DRAPER — St. John the Baptist Middle School eighth grade student Haley Bechard received a first place ribbon in the biological category of the annual Diocesan Science Fair held at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic Elementary School March 4, 2006. Titled "Effective Enzymes," Haley’s experiment studied Bromelian, an enzyme found in pineapple that breaks down protein. Through research, she determined that enzymes are sensitive to temperature changes and can become denatured (inactive) when exposed to certain temperatures. To test this, four different pineapple samples were exposed to different temperatures and then mixed with Jello®, which contains the protein pectin, which makes gelatin "set." Based upon which samples of the gelatin set, Haley determined heat affects the enzyme Bromelian while cold does not. One hundred and fifty students from Catholic Schools in Utah participated in this year’s Diocesan Science Fair, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Each participant wrote a scientific research paper, created a display board, and prepared an oral presentation for the judges, who included members of the Knights of Columbus and students from Salt Lake Community College. Next year’s Diocesan Science Fair will be hosted by Blessed Sacrament School March 3, 2007. "There is a single light of science, and to brighten it anywhere is to brighten it everywhere." These famous words spoken by the renowned 20th century scientist and author Isaac Asimov reflect the essence of the annual Diocesan Science Fair. We congratulate Haley for her efforts and success at this year’s fair. Hartney is a science teacher at St. John the Baptist Catholic Middle School.
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