Students from Endy, Locust and Oakboro to compete in next month’s Regional Science Fair
Published 1:26 pm Tuesday, January 17, 2023
- Endy Elementary students Liam McCall and Bryson Efird are both heading to the District 6 Regional Science Fair next month. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
Several elementary students from three local schools recently qualified for the District 6 Regional Science and Engineering Fair next month, which will be held virtually at UNC Charlotte.
To learn more about their projects, The Stanly News & Press caught up with students from Endy Elementary, Locust Elementary and Oakboro Choice STEM School. Their teachers — Tracey Cooke from Endy, Megan Geddings from Locust and Jennifer Crawford from Oakboro — sent back the student’s responses to The SNAP’s questions.
Endy Elementary
Liam McCall — How does soda affect your enamel?
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
My project was how soda affects your enamel.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
I wanted to help dentists tell people what sodas not to drink if they do drink sodas.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
When the Sun Drop fizzed up when we put in the limestone.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
All the experiments you can do.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
It feels exciting and nerve wracking.
Bryson Efird — “Eggs”amples of Tooth Decay
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
I was testing to see which soda affects your teeth the most in a bad way.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
I wanted to see which soda is more healthy for your teeth.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
I was surprised that vinegar is the worst thing of all time for your teeth.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
Looking at the eggs after the experiment was over.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
It makes me feel great and is giving me a great sense of accomplishment!!
Avah Temmermand — How many cups will hold my weight?
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
How many cups does it take to hold my weight?
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
My mom found it on Google.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
When I almost fell when the plastic cups splattered everywhere.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
Doing the experiment itself.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
I am very nervous and excited.
Endy Elementary’s Avah Temmermand looked into how many cups it took to hold her weight. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
Locust Elementary
Laney Tucker and Claire Kesegich — Chromatography
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
Our project was on Chromatography. We were testing to see what different colors of dye were used in Crayola markers to actually create the different colors they put in a pack.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
After learning what a color wheel was in art, we wanted to experiment to find out what different dye colors make up a certain color of marker.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
Yes! We bought 3 packs of the exact same Crayola markers to conduct our experiment. We expected the same results from each pack. After looking at our results, the dyes used to make the markers in Sets 1 and 2 showed different results than Set 3. We discovered that Sets 1 & 2 were made in Italy and Set 3 was made in Malaysia. So, we have concluded that you can’t assume that all products from a certain brand have all the same components.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
Laney: My favorite part about science is the experiments and how scientists can use them to solve interesting problems that might help others. Claire: My favorite part about science is the experiments and how it made our world different.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
It feels great to be moving on to the regional level and we are so grateful for this opportunity. We are confident that our project will make a statement for our school! We appreciate our parents and Mrs. Geddings, our science teacher, for helping us along the way.
Locust Elementary’s Claire Kesegich and Laney Tucker tested to see what different colors of dye were used in Crayola markers to actually create the different colors they put in a pack. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
Brooklyn Oliver — How do the foods we eat affect our teeth?
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
What drinks stain your teeth the most.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
My mom was helping me look for stuff, we saw that, and I thought it was cool, so I did it.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
The Pepsi really stained your teeth a lot.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
One time we made a pumpkin throw up. It was so fun!
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
It’s OK, I’m nervous though.
Locust Elementary’s Brooklyn Oliver looked into how things we eat impact our teeth. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
Lauren Simnick — Greasy Chips
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
I tested what kind of potato chips are the greasiest.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
I LOVE Pringles, so I wanted to do an experiment with potato chips. I wanted to eat all the extra chips!
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
I was surprised at how much grease the chips had. I was also surprised the wavy chips did not have the most grease. I thought they would have the most because of their ridges, but I was wrong!
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
My favorite part about science is trying new things. For this experiment I got to try different types of chips, but Pringles are still my favorite! I have also tried making slime with different ingredients.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
It feels good to advance. This is my first time entering a science fair and I can’t believe I get to advance.
Locust Elementary’s Lauren Simnick tested which potato chips are the greasiest. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
JD Cleaver and James Queen — Difference of wheel type and body on distance
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
Different car sizes and wheels and which one would make the car go farther.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
We both looked at websites and James found this idea on Science Buddies. We thought it was interesting and both agreed to this.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
Yes, the big wheels went the farthest and we were surprised at how much straighter the car traveled.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
Doing experiments.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
Amazing and happy.
Locust Elementary’s James Queen and JD Cleaver tested different car sizes and wheels to figure out which ones would go the fastest. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
Oakboro Choice STEM School
Micah Waits — Orange You Glad There’s Orange Soda?
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
I was testing what flavor of Orange Soda people liked best.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
I talked to my parents about different project ideas and was curious if people could tell the difference between flavors.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
Yes, I thought Orange Fanta would win, but it didn’t.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
Finding solutions to problems.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
I am excited about competing in the Regional Science Fair.
Oakboro’s Micah Waits looked into what flavor of Orange Soda people liked best. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
Isabella Zamora — How does the Color of Light Impact the Rate of Photosynthesis?
1. What was your specific project/what were you testing?
I was seeing what color of light would be best for the rate of photosynthesis for spinach leaves.
2. How did you come up with the idea for the experiment?
I like doing experiments that have to deal with plants and natural life. I found it interesting whenever I saw the project. I thought it would be really cool to test that out.
3. Did anything surprise you when you actually performed the experiment?
I was surprised by the fact that the blue light was best for it. I thought that it was going to be yellow since it resembles the sun. I actually kind of doubted that this project would work in the first place.
4. What’s your favorite part about science?
My favorite part about science is that wherever I learn something new, it’s so cool to see how awesome it is. It amazes me whenever I learn something new in science that I didn’t even know existed or was possible.
5. How does it feel to advance to the Regional Science Fair?
I feel proud of myself for what I have accomplished and that I was able to get this far.
Oakboro’s Isabella Zamora tested what color of light would be best for the rate of photosynthesis for spinach leaves. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Crawford.
About Chris Miller
Chris Miller has been with the SNAP since January 2019. He is a graduate of NC State and received his Master's in Journalism from the University of Maryland. He previously wrote for the Capital News Service in Annapolis, where many of his stories on immigration and culture were published in national papers via the AP wire.
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