Hair dyeing tops MBA science fair

An experiment demonstrating the effects of dyeing to human hair emerged as the best entry in the 5th Annual Science Fair at Marianas Baptist Academy last Friday, beating 11 other group projects from students in various grade levels.

With the theme “Excellence in Science and Technology Starts with Us,” 12 projects were entered into the competition.

Leaders of the champion team said it took the group almost a month to prepare and finish the presentation.

From 30 suggested topics from members, Debora Yoon said they narrowed down the ideas into five until they decided to do the “Dyeing Hair = Dying Hair?” which impressed the competition’s jurors.

An actual test showing the “dyeing activity” in three days convinced the team that the process, though fashionable, can cause harmful effects to hair.

Based on the project’s conclusion, ammonia actually causes more damage to hair over time because it opens the hair cuticles which will never be closed again.

“Some people don’t know what truly happens to the hair after they dye. Through this project, we can provide them factual information based on research and study…it would benefit people,” Yoon told Saipan Tribune, noting the many competitive and interesting entries every year.

Michael Sheu, co-leader of the group, admitted that “dyeing hair” is not a recommendable procedure for him.

“Besides the hair damage, it could also cause some health concerns…based on research,” he said.

Aside from Yoon and Sheu, other members of the winning team are Mark Anthony Liban, Young Eun Lee, Chelsea King, and Min Ha Kim.

Named second best entry was “Just Drop It In!”, a project that showcased alternative way of properly addressing pollution.

Its group leader, Yong Hwa Choi, demonstrated the improvised structure that would systematically segregate the bottles from papers and biodegradable materials.

“The idea behind this project…is to help address pollution problem,” she said, adding that same idea was proven effective in many countries like Korea and Japan.

Other members of the group include Sara Lee, Woo Rim Ahn, Kanata Omori, Gordon Coelho, and David Kim.

Third best project was the “Ecological, economical biodiesel.”

According to Lorna Liban, science fair coordinator, taking part in a science fair project is a great learning experience because it involves the longest research paper the students must have written.