WindStone Berries
Topic of 2007 Kentucky State Science Fair Project

 
                                              RYAN MUMPER

Ryan Mumper, an eighth grade student at Lexington Traditional Magnet School, recently competed at the Fifth Annual Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair with his project "Three For Your Health."  Ryan's project studied three varieties of blackberries all grown at WindStone Farms in Paris, Kentucky.  His project classified Hull, Chester, and Black Satin blackberries according to their anthocyanin and total phenolics content, free radical scavenging properties, osmolality, pH, and antioxidant properties.

This was Mumper's third time competing at the Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair.  The recent competition was held at Eastern Kentucky University on March 31 (http://www.kysef.eku.edu/).  Nearly 160 students from Kentucky presented their projects, which had previously won at the district and regional levels. Ryan received runner-up this year; however, he previously won first place in Chemistry in 2005.

Before making the journey to the State finals, Ryan won first place at his schools science fair, and the Fayette County District Fair, as well as the Regional Science Fair held at the University of Kentucky in early March. Ryan says that he enjoyed working on his project and would like to continue his research on blackberries.  "Learning about the health benefits of blackberries was amazing.  Everyone should know just how great the berries are for you," said Ryan after working on his project. Ryan got the idea for his project because his family buys WindStone Farms blackberry jam at the store. He became interested after hearing about the antioxidant properties in berries such as blackberries. 

"I would like to thank the University of Kentucky, WindStone Farms and
 especially Paige Short for my success," said Ryan.  "I learned so much from this great experience."