Students have been digging up earth, firing up ovens and belting baseballs in the name of science at Bee Cave Elementary.
The school’s fifth-graders had worked on their projects for several weeks in preparation of presenting them to a panel of judges who awarded first- through third-place awards in several categories Nov. 19.
A resourceful Rachel McNeal looked around her house for inspiration in her “Sham Wow” project that took first place in the Nature of Science category. Lucas Guerra’s “Yeast” received second place, and Kyle Knight’s search for “Truth” won third place.
In the physical sciences, Sydney Thurber’s “Magnetism” project won first place, Annie Burke’s “Which Food is the Healthiest?” claimed second place and Anthony Mollo’s “Electromagnetic Force” took third place.
Jessica Giuffrida’s “Sweet Little Experiment” nabbed first place in the life sciences category. Caroline Storm’s “Be Still My Beating Heart” won second place, and El Runkle’s “Germs” took third place.
Caitlyn Strickert’s firmly grounded “How Different Soil Types Affect the Rate of Decomposition of Carrots” won first place in earth sciences, and Julia Wolfe’s “The War on Germs” and Luke Thompson’s “Saltwater to Freshwater – Using the Power of the Sun” took second and third place, respectively.
Mallory Butt dropped everything but the kitchen sink in her experiment that tested how much force a paper plate could withstand when she dropped household items, such as a book, jar of peanut butter, apple and Rubik’s Cube, on it from 2 feet above.
Mallory said she believed the Dixie brand plate would be the strongest because of her personal experiences using that brand at home, but her project’s results showed Chinet plates to be the most durable.
“I was surprised that the Chinet held the peanut butter because the peanut butter is pretty [heavy],” she said.
She said she enjoyed working on her project and seeing what other students had come up with for their experiments.
“I thought it was really cool to see all the projects,” Mallory said.
Keaton Good’s science fair experiment grew out of his and his mother’s composting efforts that began in July at their home. He tested how different herbs, such as cilantro and dill, would prosper in organic compost matter versus growing in Miracle-Gro potting soil and Texas soil from his backyard.
According to Keaton’s results, the compost and potting soil were neck and neck for producing the most fertile herb growth.
Later in the year, he and his family will use the results of his experiment as they plant more vegetation in their landscape at home.
The fifth-grader said he couldn’t get enough science at home or at school.
“I love it. It’s fun,” Keaton said.
That appeared to be the reaction of most students when asked about their projects.
But they also had to bear down on the fundamentals of scientific research including hypotheses and conclusions.
Not only did they design displays and write reports for their experiments, but they also defended their projects before a panel of judges that included Lake Travis ISD board member Lisa Johnson, Lake Travis Fire Rescue Chief Jim Linardos, an Austin Energy employee, several pre-AP science students from Lake Travis High School and other community members.
Fifth-grade teacher and science fair coordinator Stan Alonzo said he is more excited about the science fair each year.
“Science fair has always been a huge project for Bee Cave Elementary. It’s one of our highlights for fifth grade,” Alonzo said.
Students start work on their projects in the second week of the school year and work with Alonzo to develop experiments that would merit research and implementation.
“I’m literally blown away by our students’ critical thinking skills. They take something very simple such as melting water and turn it into a much more complex, in-depth investigation,” Alonzo said. “When I get the final product, I’m usually just taken back and thoroughly amazed at how smart these kids are.”