Chemistry students exhibit research at science fair

    High school chemistry students participated in the Chase County Schools science fair on Feb.  15.
    Starting in the second quarter until the end of January, students began getting ideas, planning and executing their experiments, then were given time to work on their boards.
    Science fair boards consisted of an abstract purpose, procedure, variables, question, hypothesis, results and conclusion.
    Some students also displayed their visual aides that were made for their experiment.
    Students had 10 minutes to present their projects during the fair to judges, JR Kline, Bill Bauerle and Bruce Curtis, then later answered questions from the judges.
    High school science teacher Joni Kirwan organized the science fair for her students.
    “There are six groups that are potentially going to go to regionals because they want to,” Kirwan said, “then they will actually know if they advance to state or nationals.”
    Kirwan planned the CCS science fair in order to give students that are going to regionals time to revamp their projects.
    This year, Kirwan switched things up by not placing students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place but instead announcing the top six scores.
    “Since this is a huge grade for my chemistry students, I will not be placing the projects 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. I will give the top projects from the judges scores of 195 out of 210 or higher, the individual scores will not be given out,” she explained.
    The top students and their project title are as follows in no particular order:
    Malachi Christensen—“Sleeping Lit”
    Katelyn Stamm—“Don’t Be Dry”
    Jecca Yaw—“Bovine Algae”
    Kevin Dannatt—“Thirsty Paper Towel?”
    Jasmine Johnson—“Bacteria Hunt”
    Brooke Schilke—“Revenge of the Nerds”
    The science fair was open to the public for parents, community members and other students to see the projects.
    Grade 5-6 science teacher Janet Sheaffer took her students to observe projects in order for them to understand what to do for their own science fair.
    Kirwan said that she has received feedback from judges and others who were very impressed and enjoyed being able to see the science fair.
    Thirty-five students in 28 groups participated. Students could choose to work in groups or individually.