The student conducted a science fair project to test the effect of banana peels on reducing lead levels in contaminated water. They hypothesized that mixing banana peels into lead-contaminated water would decrease the amount of lead over time. Through an experimental procedure testing fertilizer runoff water, the student found that samples with banana peels gradually decreased their lead levels to zero after 12 hours. The results supported the hypothesis that banana peels can effectively reduce lead in water. The student concluded that banana peels have potential as a natural water purifier and method to reduce agricultural waste.

1. Science Fair Project
The main purpose of my experiment was to
determine the effect of banana peels on lead
contaminated water.
I was interested in environmental engineering, so I
decided to look deeper into this topic. As I was
researching, I came across several sources stating that
there were high lead levels in our environment. After
researching, I hypothesized that if banana peels are
mixed into contaminated water, then the lead in that
water will decrease. The objective of my project was
to see if banana peels can be used as a purifier for
water that is contaminated with lead.
I used fertilizer runoff water to test for lead. After my
experimental procedure, I found that the samples with
lead in them gradually decreased over time. The
samples decreased to 0 after 12 hours. After doing my
experiment, I concluded that the longer the banana
peels stayed in the water, the more lead was reduced.
The results of this experiment proved my hypothesis
to be correct. Banana peels can reduce the amount of
lead in water. Instead of throwing away banana peels
as agricultural waste, they can now be used as a
natural way to reduce lead in water.
NATURAL WATER PURIFIER:
Using Banana Peels to Remove Lead from
Water
▪ Study on environmental engineering
▪ Fertilizer runoff water contains lead
▪ Instead of becoming agricultural waste,
banana peels in water can reduce lead in
water
By Himani M.
7th Grade Student Scientist
Milpitas Christian School

2. 3435 Birchwood Lane, San Jose, CA 95132
MCS accepts students of all races and nationalities and does not discriminate in any of its programs based on gender, race, or national origin.
Visit www.MilpitasChristian.org
for more info or to schedule a virtual tour.
0615 Science Fair Project
Science Fair Project
Help and Support
I received a lot of help and support from both my
parents and Mr. Richards (MCS Middle School
Science Teacher).
When I first sent in my project application, I was
confident that it would be accepted. Both my
parents and Mr. Richards loved my project idea
and thought it was great. About a week later, I
check the website to see whether my project has
been accepted or incomplete. I was so shocked
to see my project “failed to qualify.” That meant
my project was beyond fixing mistakes. It meant
that there was nothing I could do to fix this. My
chance at Synopsys Science Fair this year was
ruined. I showed this to Mr. Richards, and he
decided to email the people in charge of the
selection process to find out what I did wrong.
After figuring out my mistake and where I
messed up, Mr. Richards helped me make
modifications to my project plan. He worked
hard to appeal my project to the people of the
board. My project was accepted and I was
allowed to compete in the Synopsys Science Fair.
Synopsis Science Fair (aka Santa Clara
County Science Fair)
The Santa Clara County Science fair was a great
experience. I spoke to many judges and
presented my project to each one of them. Many
of them were interested in my project and some
were even impressed.
I won an Honorable Mention award in the
Chemistry division and an Honorable Mention
award from the organization, A Society For
Materials (ASM) International, Santa Clara Valley
Chapter.
California State Science & Engineering
Fair (CSEF)
About a week after the [Synopsis Science Fair]
awards ceremony, I found out that I had been
selected to represent Santa Clara County to
compete in the California State Science and
Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. It was
unbelievable.
After hearing the news, everyone was very
supportive of me. My parents and my teachers,
Ms. Vo and Mr. Richards supported me
throughout the entire process. Up until fair day, I
worked hard and practiced my presentation.
The fair day itself was amazing. I spoke to so
many people with a passion and interest in
environmental engineering. It was a great
experience, going to all the orientations. I had
the honor of listening to Nobel Prize Winner, Dr.
Frances Arnold. I loved looking at everyone’s
experiments and meeting children with a love for
science and engineering from all over the state.
It was an experience that I will never forget. I am
extremely thankful again for all the help and
support that I received from my friends, family,
and teachers.