Published: March 14, 2008 02:43 pm            

SERMS competes at Region V Science Fair

RAMSEUR — Southeastern Randolph Middle School held its second annual Science Fair on Jan. 24. All sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students at SERMS were required to complete a project through their science classes. Students were given the choice to work independently or in teams of two.

Science Fair projects require students to investigate an inquiry based question through the use of scientific method. They must pose a question, make a hypothesis, gather materials, conduct an experiment, collect data and make conclusions based on observations and data analysis.

A research paper is also required on the topic selected. All of this information is compiled in a notebook as well as displayed on a tri-fold project board. This year students began projects in October and submitted projects in January.

There were a total of 396 projects on display at the SERMS Science Fair where projects were submitted and judged in the areas of Biological Science, Earth Science, Physical Science and Technology/Engineering. The students of the top five scoring projects in each category were awarded blue ribbons. In addition, students of the top scoring project in each grade level received a science medal, and the student of the top scoring project in the school was presented with a trophy.

The highest scoring project in each of the five categories advanced to the Region V Science Fair which was held Feb. 22 at SciWorks in Winston-Salem.

SERMS also presented these four students with a cash award for advancing to the next level of competition. Competing from SERMS at the Region V Science Fair were:

Biological Science: Lia Johnson, grade 8, with “From ZZZ to A+++: How Does Sleep Affect Memory?”

Earth Science: Devin Wilson, grade 7, with “Go Green!”

Physical Science: Sarah Busmire, grade 8, with “What Household Solvents will Remove Permanent Marker From Cloth?”

Technology/Engineering: Cody Foushee, grade 6, with “Which is Stronger: Suspension Bridges or Beam Bridges?”

All four SERMS students received a certificate of recognition at the Region V Science Fair. Lia Johnson also placed second in the Biological Science category which qualifies her project for the N.C. State Science Fair to be held in Raleigh on March 14 and March 15.

The following students were recognized at the SERMS Science Fair for having one of the top five scoring projects in their category:

Biological Science: Lia Johnson, Savannah Wardlaw, Corey Whitten, Joshua Byrd, Olivia Smith and Chelsea Jothen.

Earth Science: Devin Wilson, Emily Smith, Kaylin McKenzie, Angel Jones, Spencer Craven, Gabriela Bonola and Ana Contreras.

Physical Science: Sarah Busmire, Tyler Deaton, Zach Gardner, Christopher Concannon and Travis Lewis. Technology/Engineering: Cody Foushee, Samantha Maness, Savana Hollingsworth, Sadie Fain, Paul Smith, Kody Kuykendall, James Needham and Kaleb Green.

Honorable Mentions: Jameison Thomas, Chase Arrington, Haley Bullard, Olivia Millikan, Gregory Barber, Samantha Marin, Alejandra Ortez, Laura Hicks and Jordan Miller.

The 2008 SERMS Science Fair received sponsorship from several area businesses. These businesses include Georgia Pacific, Wal-Mart, Klaussner Furniture, Randolph Bank, Stuart-Bowman Auto Centre and Dr. Steve Walsh. These sponsors helped furnish students with backboards and various materials needed to complete projects. It also helped pay for Region V Science Fair registration fee, cash awards for students, table rentals for the school fair and table cloths.

        

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