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SJIHM students honored at state science fair
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The state science fair allowed sixth-graders to compete for the first time, and St. Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary sent five scientists to the competition. They are, from left, Nicolas Bieke, Brendan Faloon, Joe Koewacich, Emily Cripe, and Maria Santana.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor.The eighth-grade winners of the science fair gathered for a congratulatory photo after their weekend in Columbus. The winners are, from left, John Hintz, Erin Styka, Madalyn Sanders, Jacquelyn Cicozi, Alyssa Armstrong, and Wesley Pringle.
By SARAH FOOR
Science projects testing the voltage fruit can produce, natural versus chemically-enhanced growth in plants and the effects of nasal decongestants were only a few of the ideas explored by St. Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary students with the projects they took to Columbus for the state science fair.
The school took 11 students to the event on May 7, where they competed with hundreds of students from sixth- to 12th-grade.
“It was kind of nerve-racking,” admitted sixth-grader Maria Santana. “We were split up from our parents and most of us had judging really late in the day. I think the patience paid off because we all did really well.”
The delegation included six eighth-graders and five sixth-graders. Principal John Rozzo was especially proud of the sixth-graders’ work in Columbus.
“This is the first year they’ve opened the competition to sixth-graders and we sent five.” he said.
In Columbus, the students received many high ratings for their projects.
In the eighth-grade division, John Hintz, Maddie Sanders, Jacquelyn Cicozi, and Wesley Pringle received excellent ratings. Erin Styka and Alyssa Armstrong received a satisfactory rating.
Sixth-graders Emily Cripe and Maria Santana received excellent ratings. Brendan Faloon and Joe Koewacich, satisfactory and Nicolas Beike, a good rating.