The Green Bank Observatory was the venue for the countywide Science Fair held January 23. A total of 123 students presented 66 projects in 12 categories – animal science, plant science, behavioral and social science, medical sciences, physics and astronomy, chemistry, engineer, material science, math and data, earth and environmental science, energy and technology.
Students participated in several activities during the fair. They made brush-bots using simple materials including the head of a toothbrush, vibrating motor and coin-cell battery. They also had two challenges – the code-cracking challenge and paper-tower challenge.
The code-cracking challenge had three parts in which the students had to crack a code to decode a final message. In the paper-tower challenge, they were divided into teams of four to try to create the tallest and strongest tower using only 30 pieces of paper and a roll of tape.
After all the fun, the students attended the award ceremony. All first place winners will move on to the Regional Science Fair in Greenbrier County which will be held in February.
Winners are:
Elementary School
Chemistry: first place, Mia Valach, Snowy Fun; second place, Alayna Sharp and Marcy Goldizen, The Floating Egg; and third place, Ayla Fanning and Beth McClure, Bath Bomb.
Energy: first place, Brayden Ray and Rufus Morgan, How Windmills Generate Electricity.
Engineering: first place, Simon Scotchie and Lydia Taylor, What’s Shakin; second place, Draydon Cassell, Filtration System; and third place, Declan Irvine, Sink or Float.
Material Science: first place tie, Michael Friel, Best Catch and Evan Sharp, Bubble-ology; second place, Hunter Howell, Sling Shot; and third place, Natalie Sisler and Gaven Stark, Wooden vs. Metal.
Medical Sciences: first place, Carter Smith, Do Video Games Affect Eyesight?
Physics and Astronomy: first place, Brody Hoke, Longest Flight.
Plant Science: first place, Victor Dean, Mushroom Madness.
Middle School
Animal Science: first place, Chloe Annett and Jolene Workman, What Footing do Horses Prefer?; second place, Savanna Sharp and Irelyn Withers, Birthing Issues; and third place, Moriah Thompson, An Apple a Day… K-9 Style.
Behavioral and Social Sciences: first place, Madeline Burns, What Time is It?; second place, Willa Hardy and Emma Sacca, Name Brand vs. Generic Brand Snacks; and third place, Hailey Goldsberry and Julia Brown, Sweet or Sour.
Chemistry: first place, Nadiya Kerr, One Tough Cookie: Finding the Best Baking Powder Substitute; second place, Autumn Hively and Sienna Hammons, Do all Brands of Crayons Melt at the Same Temperature?; and third place, Kya Arbogast, Which Liquid Will Change the Egg?
Earth and Environmental Science: first place, Gemma Brewer and Palmer Simmons, Freezing Water; and second place, Kimber Fitzgerald, Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano.
Energy: first place, Izaiah Anderson and Noah Sharp, Wind Mill Lifting Capacity; and second place, Devin Dehaven and Coleton Taylor. Hydroelectric Power.
Engineering: first place tie, Julian Dennison, Protecting Marshmallows in a Vacuum and Zara Fanning, The Great Collapse; and second place, Eowyn Smith, Making the Trebuchet.
Material Science: first place, Kendall Taylor, Karli Boyd and Gabbi Lawson, Orbeez Growth Overnight in Various Solutions; and second place, Clarissa Barb and Bayla Plaugher, Soap Playdough.
Medical Science: first place, Madaline Landis, Electrolytes Challenge; and second place, Bailey Goodwin and Branltee Moore, Heart Rate Measurements.
Physics and Astronomy: first place, Bradyen Smith, Air vs. Football; and second place Abby Bauserman, Hot vs. Cold.
Plant Science: first place, Trey Satler and James Smith, Where is Your Soil? and second place, Reed Barber, Sugar Water or Water.