Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Christopher High School freshman shares his science fair passion

Science fairs can inspire students to excel in learning about the world

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By Robert Airoldi

We’re proud of our young friend Aryan Ganesh, who a few years ago was featured in a story we published on the South Valley Science and Engineering Fair. As a Solorsano Middle School sixth grader, he showed off his experiment to use natural products to cure cancer.

We recently learned from his dad that the now freshman at Christopher High School went to the prestigious Synopsys Science Fair Competition in San Jose and won third in the ninth-grade biological science and engineering category for his impressive experiment involving Parkinson’s disease. The fair was held March 9 and the awards ceremony was March 26.

Science projects have been Ganesh’s passion since elementary school, and he has participated in the Synopsys for four consecutive years. This year, his project focused on a novel approach to detect Parkinson’s using machine learning and developing a closed-loop variable device for tremor monitoring and feedback. Early detection of diseases like Parkinson’s can be extremely beneficial in mitigating their symptoms, especially since there is no cure yet.

“I plan to continue my research and aim to participate in next-level competitions in the future,” he told us in an email. “Unfortunately, during the past four years, there has been little to no participation from Gilroy Unified School District students in science fairs. However, I am hoping to change that by encouraging many of my fellow high schoolers to participate in the competition.”

We hope your words, Aryan, inspire more Gilroy teachers to encourage their students to participate in local and county science fairs.

After a three-year break, the Indian Association of South Santa Clara County celebrated the colorful festival of Holi with much fervor April 2 at Christmas Hill Park. It was an afternoon filled with friendly folks throwing and smearing colored cornstarch powder on each other to mark the beginning of spring with an ancient ritual. There was also enjoyed delicious Indian cuisine in a potluck — and, of course, lots of dancing.

Pronounced “holy,” Holi is a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the world’s rebirth in spring through the Festival of Colors. It honors the eternal and divine love of the gods Radha and Krishna.

“While traditionally Holi represents victory of good over evil as well as the onset of spring, it has a much deeper meaning today,” said the local nonprofit’s board president Monica Iyer. “It symbolizes unity. Thus, the IASC family, too, came together to celebrate. We sang and danced and shared home-cooked food. We covered ourselves in powder dye as millions do all over the world. We threw away our inhibitions and were united as one colorful group at the end of it all.”

Gavilan welcomes renowned artist, speaker, author, and “Creativity Crusader” Simon Silva, this month to share his thoughts on encouraging the arts.

“It feels great to return to Gavilan College,” he said. “I first came here 15 years ago and always felt at home with this community.”

He’ll talk on “Nurturing Sustainable Success Through the Arts” at noon April 20 at the Gilroy campus’s library and at 5:30 p.m. at the Hollister site.

Following his hour-long lecture, he’ll lead a hands-on workshop for 30 attendees at each location. There is no need to register for the workshop, and it is open to all.

The Gavilan Educational Foundation will host a “Simon Silva Gallery Reception,” where more than 20 of his latest art pieces will be displayed. The VIP portion of the reception will start at 4:30 p.m. April 21 at the Gilroy campus library gallery. The general reception starts at 6 p.m. It’s free for students with proof of current high school or college identification, and $20 for others.

Calling all golfers. The annual Gilroy Garlic Festival Golf Classic tees off June 23. The tournament supports the nonprofit Gilroy Garlic Festival Association that has distributed more than $12 million to community groups and charities since 1979. Expected to sell out again, the tournament includes golf, lunch on the course and post-play dinner. The day begins at 1 p.m., with a shotgun start and a four-person scramble format. Dinner will be prepared by Gourmet Alley chefs, all in support of the Association. Tickets are on sale at www.gilroygarlicfestivalassociation.com.