1980s SARSEF projects reflect tech boom and rad scientific breakthroughs

SARSEF projects in the 1980s showcased student innovations that paralleled major advancements in technology, energy, medicine, and environmental science.

1980s SARSEF projects reflect tech boom and rad scientific breakthroughs
An Arizona Daily Star news article about SARSEF's 1981 science fair. Courtesy of SARSEF.
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We're taking a trip back into the past and diving into the history of SARSEF's science fair decade by decade, leading up to its 70th anniversary celebration Friday, February 7.

The 1980s were marked by major advancements in technology, including the invention of the personal computer and cable TV, and students' research in the annual SARSEF science fair mirrored that rapidly evolving landscape. 

Projects spanned diverse fields  including renewable energy, computer programming, medical research and environmental science.  

To kick off the decade, Steve Larmey sought to tackle the growing energy crisis by engineering a system to store wind-generated energy using electrolysis to create and store hydrogen, which could then be used with a fuel cell. This concept mirrored contemporary research into alternative energy sources, particularly as scientists and engineers worked to develop hydrogen fuel technology as a viable solution for reducing dependence on fossil fuels. 

That same year, Jean Raymond studied the effects of salt on plant growth, a pressing issue in the arid Southwest where irrigation increases soil salinity. Her research reflected broader agricultural concerns regarding soil degradation and sustainable farming.

Other students explored electrostatic motors, heart rate variability, and fertilizer effectiveness, all of which corresponded to scientific developments in bioengineering and agricultural science.

The following year, SARSEF students continued to explore cutting-edge topics. Sunnyside High School’s Luisa F. Ortiz developed a computer program capable of detecting and completing patterns, a project that highlighted the increasing role of artificial intelligence and computational learning in the early days of personal computers. 

John Kececioglu researched pacemaker reliability, an important topic given the growing reliance on implantable medical devices for heart conditions. His work aligned with advancements in biomedical engineering aimed at improving the safety and longevity of pacemakers. 

A newspaper article about the 1984 SARSEF science fair. Courtesy of SARSEF.

Other projects included experiments involving solar energy cells, animal physiology, and the chemical composition of cacti, showcasing a continued interest in renewable energy, biological sciences, and environmental adaptations.

In 1982, Emily Boone conducted research on mononucleosis, a project inspired by her personal experience with the virus.

Her study involved infecting chicken embryos to observe the effects, reflecting a growing national interest in virology and immunology, particularly as researchers sought to understand viral infections and their transmission. 

That same year, Gordon Videen explored laser diffraction with quartz fibers, an area of physics gaining prominence as laser technology advanced for applications in telecommunications, medicine, and material sciences. Videen’s success at the International Science and Engineering Fair earned him several awards and a camera. He ended up eventually taking a job as a scientist with the Space Science Institute, demonstrating the long-term impact of SARSEF participation.

By 1983, energy research remained a major theme among students. Timothy Shirley examined the feasibility of producing, storing, and using hydrogen as a synthetic fuel, a project that won five grand awards at ISEF and reflected the push for hydrogen energy solutions amid global discussions on energy sustainability. 

David Boone investigated the effects of diagnostic ultrasound on chicken embryos, demonstrating increasing interest in the effects of medical imaging technologies, which were becoming more widely used in prenatal and diagnostic care.

 Other students explored the effects of smoking on mice, reflecting public health concerns over tobacco use, the growth of tomato plants with electronic stimulation, and the feasibility of vitamins aiding plant growth, an early indicator of increasing scientific interest in biofortification and plant-based nutrition.

In 1984, Green Fields Day School produced 20 regional science fair winners and multiple ISEF finalists, showcasing the strength of science education in private institutions. 

An Arizona Daily Star News clipping. Courtesy of SARSEF.

The following year, high schooler Jon Isabelle represented SARSEF at ISEF, while younger students demonstrated curiosity-driven projects, such as testing the electrical resistance of trees, which related to studies in plant physiology and bioelectricity, and designing a solar-powered windmill, reflecting continued exploration of renewable energy sources.

One notable young inventor, 9-year-old Dustin Dial, built a battery-powered "snooper alarm" for his bedroom, using electrical engineering and security technology for everyday life.

By the late 1980s, projects continued to align with emerging scientific conversations. In 1988, students explored robotics, environmental science, and alternative energy. Dan Sandowski, an 11-year-old participant, built a mobile robot, a project indicative of the growing fascination with automation and robotics that would become central to technological advancement in the coming decades. 

Oscar A. Duarte created a hurricane generator, demonstrating interest in meteorology and climate science, fields that were gaining importance as understanding of severe weather patterns deepened.

Paul Stallard used University of Arizona computers to develop a toy robot, showcasing the increasing accessibility of computational tools for students and the integration of computer programming into scientific experimentation. 

Other students investigated the feasibility of drinking water from Sabino Creek, an early example of environmental testing and water quality analysis, the ability of earthworms to learn, which paralleled growing research in neurobiology and cognition, and the cultivation of agave by the ancient Hohokam people, reflecting increased archaeological interest in indigenous agricultural practices and sustainability.

Throughout the decade, SARSEF projects consistently mirrored the evolving scientific landscape, from renewable energy and computing to medical advancements and environmental concerns.


Angelina Maynes is a University of Arizona alum and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please support our work with a paid subscription.

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