Science Fair Draws a Crowd
Aiden and Nouhou had a theory. They knew that putting a Mentos mint candy inside a bottle of soda, would make the soda go volcanic, but would putting a Mentos in different kinds of sodas change the size of the explosion?
The boys’ project was one of 96 projects showcased in the George Fischer Middle School Science Fair. This year, students competed in four distinct categories: biology, earth and space, invention and physical science. Almost 200 students participated.
“The Science Fair is the district's largest academic event of the year, and this year was exceptional,” said Science Fair Advisor Jeff Diamonde. “We estimate that more than 300 people came out to support our students and see their work.”
Diamonde teaches technology and art and has been a Science Fair Advisor since 1998. He is retiring this year and Co-Advisor Cheryl-Ann Murphy, a World Language teacher, will now be the lead Science Fair Advisor. A former administrator at Ulster BOCES, Murphy has overseen the Secondary Science and Technology curriculum and because she speaks Spanish many ENL (English as a New Language) students joined the Science Fair this year.
The fair is really a schoolwide project. Technology Teacher Anthony Soltille helped with student-made robot demonstrations. The school’s Special Education Chairperson Cathy Mahon and PACE Teacher April Roe provided the PACE students with an opportunity to create an amazing project this year. Bridge Students volunteered throughout the day, helping students bring items into the building and taking pictures. The art department displayed students' work around the gymnasium. And the George Fischer Middle School PTA sponsored and supported the Science Fair, providing everything from 100 display tables to the plaques awarded to the winners.
Principal Dr. Merica Neufville emphasized that working together is a way of strengthening a school community.
“The Fair’s advisors made sure there were opportunities for all students to participate in the Science Fair, even if they were not entering a project,” Dr. Neufville said. “Our GFMS family, or "RAMILY" as we like to say, provides ways for all of our students to be included.”
The first-place winner in each category is invited to compete in the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair in April.
Here is the list of winners:
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
8th grade
1st Aarav Prasad
7th Grade
1st Jack Sutherland, Bryce Dalton, Lucas Hauptner
2nd Liliana Fagant, Mahee Deshpande
6th Grade
1st Place Own Ball, Michael Harionto
2nd Sadie Lopez, Julianna Sorbella
3rd Olivia Capizzi, Genevieve Tallevi
5th Grade
1st Jack Doll, Evelyn Follett, Liliana Sullivan
2nd Ezra Schembari, Jose Posada
3rd Aiden Kamal
EARTH AND SPACE
8th Grade
1st Levi Robinson, Michael Cecchini
2nd Ella Zimmerman, Violet Harper, Emma Rivera
3rd Kate Morelli, Cora Hedman, Saranda Krasniqi
7th Grade
1st Stanley Smith
2nd Clara Vuljevic
6th Grade
1st Avery Escaravage
5th Grade
1st Carter Hey
2nd James Baio, Silas Machulski
3rd Erona Krasniqi
BIOLOGY
8th Grade
1st Olivia Santangelo, Hayley Larson
2nd Alexandra Hazelton, Cassidy Greene
7th Grade
1st Alexander Pelillo, Logan Pelillo
2nd Camryn Menton, Lillian White
3rd Melania Borovyk, Ellianna Taylor, Arya Bates
6th Grade
1st Kayla Ramos
2nd Nalani, Franky, Victoria Miro
5th Grade
1st Nora Brenner
2nd Joseph Goldberg
3rd Michael Cole
INVENTION
7th Grade
1st Calvin Stockfield, Ryan Mariluz
6th Grade
1st Alexandra Baret
2nd Lyndsey Cargain, Emily Nerys
3rd Ben Armaza, Brayden Cooke, Theodore Guzzo
5th Grade
1st Mia O'Brien, Angela Mazinski
2nd Braylee Platania
3rd Vanessa Carinci, Ana Guallapa