ENCINITAS — Milan Sanghvi of Rhoades School in Encinitas was lauded by Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s board of directors April 30 for his entry in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair.
Sanghvi was awarded OMWD’s “Water in Science” award and a prize for scientific exploration of water-related topics.
The Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair was held in March in Balboa Park. Robert Topolovac, OMWD director and a retired educator, viewed the fair entrants, seeking exceptional projects relating to water supply or water quality. Along with Sanghvi’s project, he also applauded Nicholas Schudder of Marshall Middle School, for hist positive contribution to a greater body of knowledge about issues facing the water industry. Schudder’s project dealt with using microporous, aluminosilicate minerals as an adsorbent for desalination.
Sanghvi investigated the use of basil seeds as a biomaterial to remove lead, chromium, and copper from water samples. Finding eco-friendly and alternative methods of treating water is of growing importance as conventional methods used for water purification can be costly and cumbersome.
He credits science teacher, Roxanne Hunker, for his interest in science.
“She always has hands-on activities which make learning in her class fun and interesting,” Sanghvi said.
A school science fair participant since fourth grade, he previously experimented in treating contaminated water using dried banana peels.
