Park Middle School Science Fair Shows Kids Have the Right Stuff

The 12th annual Science Fair at Park Middle School, held on March 8, 2013, showcased the efforts of 165 students in 5th through 8th grades. Working alone or in pairs, students investigated questions of physics, chemistry, the environment, and other scientific disciplines using materials ranging from tongue depressors to potatoes.

Peggy Brown, 6th grade teacher and coordinator for the Science Fair said, “Students really grasped the idea of using the scientific method to investigate things that interest them – things like electrolytes found in sports drinks, absorbency of paper towels, and the strength of bridges. It’s exciting to see them learn to make their own discoveries.”

Park science teachers Richard Minerley, Amy Johnson, Jennifer Slavin, Aimee Sanchez, John Scholz, Dianne Handza, and Christine Bumiller also organized the event, with many volunteers from the school’s PTA.

The fair was judged by scientists and engineers from GE Healthcare and Merck, who evaluated each project’s use of the scientific methods, understanding of principles, and presentation.

The following were selected for prizes in each grade:

Grade 5

• 1st Place – Lizzie Ley & Emma Peluso (Melting Ice)
• 2nd Place – Akhil Gundra & Camden Ricci (Magnets)
• 3rd Place – Katherine Chouinard (Plant Food)

Grade 6

• 1st Place – Danyaal Tayyabkahn (Building Strong Electromagnetics)
• 2nd Place – Sam Goetz (Arch Bridge vs Truss Bridge)
• 3rd Place – Alexandra Fischmann (Are Fingerprints Hereditary?)

Grade 7

• 1st Place – Andrew Lomusico & Steven Rhein (Drinking Bacteria in Water)
• 2nd Place – Arianna Horgan & Rhiannon Leonardo (Plant Cell DNA
• )3rd Place – Sam Seshardi (Food, Habit, & Hypertension)

Grade 8

• 1st Place – Marc Occhipinti & Ryan Chan (Fast Hands)
• 2nd Place – Andrew Mu (Water Type in Plants)
• 3rd Place – Allie Alloe & Daniela Fonseca (Gift of Gab)