Students at Rocky Mountain Elementary School learned all about earth, nature, science and technology during their annual science fair.
"The science fair is so amazing for the children," says Fair director, Karen Alexander. "It is wonderful to see how much work they put into this, how much time they spend studying their topic and how rewarding it is for them to be able to present their project to teachers, judges, their fellow students and each other."
The RMES annual science fair has been a highly anticipated event at the school for the past six years. It is mandatory and part of their curriculum grade for grades five and six, but grade four students and a few primary students are typically eager to take part as well. This year there were fifty nine projects put on by seventy five students. "Every year we have a great panel of approximately thirty judges," says Alexander. "These are people in the community who have a genuine interest in the science fair and about science itself," she says. "All of our volunteers who help put on the fair every year are so very much appreciated as well," she says.
All students were presented with a ribbon for participation and students were also given a prize for top projects for each grade. "Students had three topics to choose from, innovation, invention or experiment and they were judged on how well they know their project," says Alexander. Children that participated were given an invitation to represent their school at the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair in Cranbrook. This year, RMES will be providing transportation to and from the fair to allow all students to have the opportunity to attend.
"It is just such a thrill to see all the hard work and dedication that goes into this," says Alexander. From the volunteers and especially the kids," she says.
Winners of the RMES Science Fair are:
Grade 4
*Tanner Barclay - Digital Attraction
Isabelle Klapp and Gracie Beranek - Wonderful Power of Zinc
Kyle Klein - Hearing Sounds
Brandon Riddell - Electric/Wooden Generator
Grade 5
*Tessa Alexander - Meltdown Ice vs. Salt
Connor Ashbridge - Fossils
Liam Christy - Ocean Biome
Claya Dortman and Brooke MacGregor - Lava Lamp
Gillian House and Brynn Thompson - Cu Pickle
Grade 6
*Jace Lee - Oil Spill
*Kelly Klein - Hair
Stephanie Alexander - Heat It Up
Alabama Wright - Cheese. Who Cut the Cheese
Jeanne Schalekamp - Stain Away
*= Highest Marks
Primary Participants are:
Grade 1
Riley Murray - A "Maze" ing Beans
Vanessa Shinners - Clouds
Grade 2
Viktor Khaniauka - Glowing Water
Grade 3
Caleb MacPherson - Chromatography
Kyle Sliworsky - The Betta Fish Experiment
Braden and Lucas Sorensen - Bacteria