WALDORF, Md. — Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) held its ninth annual History, Industry, Technology, and Science (HITS) Expo on March 22, 2025, at St. Charles High School, showcasing student projects in history and science. The event, a staple of the district’s academic calendar, drew participants and attendees to celebrate student ingenuity across a range of disciplines.
The science fair portion of the Expo featured projects judged in categories including Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Life Science, Mathematical Science, Physics, and Physics and Astronomy. Each year, one student earns the prestigious title of grand winner for their science fair project. In 2025, that honor went to Skylan Brassell, a sophomore from the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, for her project titled “Port Tobacco River’s Dissolved Oxygen Levels and Their Correlation to Turbidity, Water Temperature, and Coliforms.” Brassell also secured first place in the secondary-level Environmental Science category, highlighting her standout contribution to the event.
Brassell’s project examined key environmental factors affecting the Port Tobacco River, a waterway flowing into the Potomac River in Charles County. Dissolved oxygen levels, essential for sustaining aquatic ecosystems, were analyzed alongside turbidity (water clarity), temperature, and coliform bacteria, which can indicate pollution. Her research aligns with broader regional efforts to monitor water quality, such as those tracked by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the state’s environmental health initiatives.
The HITS Expo provided a platform for CCPS students to display their research and compete for awards, reflecting the district’s mission to deliver a “high-quality education” to its 28,162 students across 38 schools, as noted on its official website. The event included history fair projects alongside the science displays, though specific history winners were not highlighted in initial reports. An awards ceremony concluded the day, recognizing top performers across all categories.
Brassell’s achievement builds on her prior success at the HITS Expo. In 2024, she claimed the grand prize for a project exploring turbidity and pathogenic microbes in Potomac River tributaries, demonstrating a consistent interest in environmental science. Her work underscores how CCPS fosters hands-on learning, encouraging students to tackle real-world issues like water quality—a critical concern in Maryland, where the Chesapeake Bay watershed remains a focal point for conservation efforts.
The Expo, now in its ninth year, continues to grow as a showcase of student talent within Charles County. Hosted at St. Charles High School, one of the district’s eight high schools, the event bridges academic study with practical application. CCPS, serving a diverse student population, uses such initiatives to prepare students for future academic and professional pursuits, aligning with national trends in STEM education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, programs like these help cultivate skills in science, technology, engineering, and math—fields where demand for skilled workers remains high.
For Brassell, the dual recognition as grand winner and category leader marked a significant milestone. Her project not only impressed judges but also highlighted the potential for student research to contribute to community understanding of local environmental challenges. The HITS Expo remains a testament to CCPS’s commitment to academic excellence, offering students a chance to shine while engaging with topics that matter to their region.
The following students also received awards for their science fair projects.
Elementary school division
First-place awards
• Lana Songco, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Quick Catch,” fourth grade, William B. Wade Elementary School.
• Nora Moss, Chemistry category, “Can You Candle the Heat,?” fifth grade, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
• Kourtni Johnson, Earth and Space Science category, “Right Side Up,” fourth grade, Berry Elementary School.
• Jan Margaux Magauay, Environmental Science category, “Pulp Patrol: Who’s the best oil absorber,?” fifth grade, Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
• Jacob Enck, Life Science category, “Propagation in Different Variables of Water,” fourth grade, Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
• Skylar Adkisson, Physics and Astronomy category, “Loop the Loop Roller Coaster!” fourth grade, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School.
Second-place awards
• Megan Nelson, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Which soda is worse for your teeth enamel,?” fourth grade, William A. Diggs Elementary School.
• Angel Aviles Villegas, Chemistry category, “How does temperature affect a battery,?” fourth grade, Mary H. Matula Elementary School.
• Isabella Welcome, Earth and Space Science category, “Let It Grow Let It Grow – Does music help plants grow faster,?” fourth grade, St. Mary’s Bryantown School.
• Fatima Khan, Environmental Science category, “Oops Spilled It! Oil Spills and How We Clean It Up,” fifth grade, Billingsley Elementary School.
• Eddie Sommella, Life Science category, “Which fruits and vegetables have the most sugar?,” fourth grade, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School.
• Terrez Cooks, Physics and Astronomy category, “Basketball Bounce Test,” third grade, Malcolm Elementary School.
Secondary level division
First-place awards
• Yvonna Edwards and Jacob Reginald, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Analyzing Effects of Standard Amounts of Caffiene on Antibiotic Effectiveness,” seniors, North Point High School.
• Quinn Kober, Chemistry category, “Making Perfumes,” sixth grade, Matthew Henson Middle School.
• Jason Falkler, Mathematical Science category, “Mathematically Delicious,” sixth grade, Milton M. Somers Middle School.
• Skylan Brassell, Environmental Science category, “Port Tobacco River’s Dissolved Oxygen Levels and Their Correlation to Turbidity, Water Temperature, and Coliforms,” sophomore, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center.
• Maximilian High and Jade Russell, Life Science category, “Forensic Multiplex PCR in Unstable Environments,” seniors, North Point.
Second-place awards
• Carsyn Martin, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Comparing the Enzyme Activity in Spoiled vs. Refrigerated Organic and Non-Organic Cheese after 4 Weeks,” senior, North Point.
• Ethan Ben Gregory Escasinas, Chemistry category, “Snow to H2O: Different Filtration Methods,” eighth grade, Theodore G. Davis Middle School.
• Shaylee House, Environmental Science category, “H2Uh-oh! Bacteria Testing,” sixth grade, Somers.
•Sofia Morris, Life Science category, “Yeast Reproduction in Sugar Substitutes,” seventh grade, Somers.
• Yaazin Shah, Physics category, “Helium and How Many Balloons Can Lift Different Toys,” eighth grade, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center.
• Jeremy Largen, Earth and Space Science category, “Volcano Eruption,” seventh grade, St. Mary’s Bryantown.
Below is a list of students who earned a special award for their projects.
• Ethan Ben Gregory Escasinas, Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland award.
• Skylan Brassell, College of Southern Maryland (CSM) award.
• Sofia Morris, CSM award.
• Emma Vo, fifth grade, Billingsley, CSM and La Plata Garden Club awards, “Heavy Metal and Aquatic Environments.”
• Gabrielle Minors, sixth grade, Mattawoman Middle School, La Plata Garden Club award, “Java Jungle: How does caffeine affect plant growth.”
• Kaitlyn Moorer and Morgan Jones, seniors, North Point, La Plata Garden Club award, “Different Fruits and Vegetables on the Effectiveness of Compost.”
