Many students at SSA set off on their science fair journeys early last September. Some with veteran experience at international science fairs such as the International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering, and Environment) Project Olympiad (ISWEEEP) and others with no experience whatsoever. The one unique commonality that they all shared was a curiosity about their world, a love of science, a plethora of willpower, and a vague understanding that there might be some sort of acknowledgement of their efforts at the end of the year at some place called SARSEF and there might actually be a bonified school science fair at SSA this year. There was not even any mention of AzSEF. Many of the students got more than they had ever wished for!
Student’s projects were selected by judges at the school science fair on Feb 23rd to represent SSA at SARSEF. For middle school, only 10 projects can be sent to SARSEF by any one school. Five 8th grade projects, three 6th grade projects and two 7th grade projects were chosen to move on to the next level. In addition, one 10th grade project done by Kelsey Waite was highly recommended by the judges to register for SARSEF.
Students had to be present to discuss their projects on Tuesday, March 17th for the judging interviews. On Friday, March 20th, they reaped the toils of their half year long labor at the awards ceremony. In all of Southern Arizona, SSA-Tucson had the longest list of awards than any other school. Also, the best Junior High project from southern Arizona was chosen by SARSEF as an observer to accompany just 3 high school projects to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Reno, Nevada. Two of SSA’s 8th grade students, Joshua Sloane and Ostin Zarse were given this high honor and will be travelling to ISEF on May 10th on an all expense paid trip. Students, projects and honors are listed below:
SARSEF AWARDS
10th Grade:
Kelsey Waite: Effects Of Light Intensity On The Development Of Photosynthetic Apparatus In Green Algae; Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 2nd Place
UA Biosphere Invitation to present at Earth Day
United States Army 2nd Place: Certificate & Polo
Southern AZ VA Health Care System Certificate & Book
8th Grade:
Ostin Zarse, Joshua Sloane: Upping The Power; Can Reflective Materials Be Cost Affective While Increasing The Output Of Photovoltaic Cells?
Invitation to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Reno, Nevada as Observers
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 1st Place
Optical Sciences 1st Place
Tucson Electric Power Check
Texas Instruments 3-HM Calculator
Stanley Palasek: Metabolic Comparison Of Carbohydrates
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 2nd Place
United States Navy Medal & Certificate
Texas Instruments 1st Place - Calculator
Michael Giordano, Brett Kormash: Where Can The Most Desert Holes Be Found?
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 2nd Place
Friends of Kartchner Caverns FamilyPass + Book
Sami Barghout: Rocket Recovery: Cone Vs. Parachute and Streamer
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 3rd Place
Texas Instruments 3-HM Calculator
James Mendola: Autonomous Line-following Robot
Fagg, Dr. AH 1st Place,
Little Chapel of All Nations check
7th Grade:
Conner McKee: The Electrostatic Water Storm
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 1st Place
Discovery Challenge Young Scientist Nomination
Katherine Muhlrad: Actionscript: Pain Or Pleasure
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 2nd Place
Texas Instruments 3-HM Calculator
Kids-4-Science
6th Grade:
Bogdan Racolta: Biofuel From Algae
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 1st Place
Tucson Electric Power Check
Pflibsen Family D.Pflibsen Aw - $50 Gift card
Catalina Rotary Club Service Above Self Award
Discovery Challenge Young Scientist Nomination
UA Bookstore 3rd Place: Gift Card - $10
Hugh Fox: Brazil Nut Effect In Polydisperse Granular Mixtures
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 1st Place
Discovery Challenge Young Scientist Nomination
Texas Instruments 3-HM Calculator
Dannin Hansen: Parabolic Vs. Fresnel
SciEnTeK-12 Foundation 2nd Place
Kids-4-Science check
Kelsey Waite receives United States Army 2nd Place: Certificate & Polo at SARSEF
Bogdan Racolta receives one of his many awards at SARSEF
From Left: Stan Palasek, Mr. Hobbins, Bogdan Racolta, Mr. Sodek, Conner McKee, Mr. Karatas, Ostin Zarse, Kelsey Waite, Joshua Sloane, Mrs. Barnett, Katie Muhlrad, Mrs. Tanyeri. At the end of the awards ceremony at SARSEF.
Joshua Sloane and Ostin Zarse are chosen as 8th grade observers at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Reno Nevada on May 10th.