Students discussing the negative effects of vaping on lung function.
In a bustling showcase of ingenuity and scientific inquiry, students at Southwestern Middle School recently demonstrated their research prowess at a science fair, a platform that allowed them to delve into intriguing scientific questions and present their findings.
Collaborative efforts among students led to a series of innovative projects exploring various aspects of the living environment. The event, which took place on December 10 in the school’s multipurpose room, was the culmination of weeks of dedicated research by eighth graders in Alexis Johnson’s Living Environment class.
“The first eighth grade science fair at Southwestern Middle School showcased our students’ creativity and knowledge in various science topics,” said Superintendent Molly Moore. “Students showed excellent preparation, research, and presentation skills. They were able to answer questions about how their topic applies to potential careers and ethical dilemmas. It was very impressive.”
While the overarching theme was the living environment, the range of subjects tackled by the students was broad. Projects featured topics such as “Extinct Animals Back To Life,” “Study of Snakehead,” and “How do Specific Animals Adapt When There is a Change in Environment.” Other students opted to explore microscopic or fossilized organisms, with projects like “Preservation on Organisms,” “Battle of the Bacteria Blockers,” and “The Effect of Cleaning Products on Bacteria.”
Judges listen to students discussing finds at the display titled Bone Dating Techniques in Archaeology.
Some projects ventured into the complexities of DNA and human biology, with topics such as “How Vaping Affects Lung Function,” “The Liftoff of Epipens,” “Strawberry DNA,” “How was CRISPR Discovered,” “Bone Dating Techniques in Archaeology,” and “Blood Splatter Analysis.” These projects highlighted the students’ ability to creatively interpret the assignment, aligning with the district’s goal of fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
“I want to commend our eighth grade Regents Biology students for the tremendous effort they put into their science fair research and for the creativity they showed in presenting their work to staff, students, and families,” said Middle School Principal Greg Lauer. “I was especially impressed by the range and depth of topics, including blood spatter analysis, the effects of vaping on lung function, strawberry DNA, and bacteria blockers. A special thank-you goes to their teacher, Alexis Johnson, whose dedication and hard work made this experience so meaningful for our students.”
Student peers listen to the findings of the other student’s projects.
Students answer peers’ questions on their blood splatter analysis project.
Students crowd around, trying to get the opportunity to see each project.
Students discuss their project with a teacher at the Liftoff of Epipens display.
Original Story at www.post-journal.com