The Westerville Middle School Science Fair was held on Saturday morning, February 6, at Walnut Springs Middle School. The contest featured 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from Walnut Springs, Blendon, Heritage, Genoa and Emerson in the Westerville City School District. One hundred and thirty two participants enthusiastically shared their passion for science with nearly 30 judges. Sixty pupils received the highest rating and qualified for the District Science Fair, which will be held at Columbus State Community College on March 19.
Students receiving the highest superior rating in the individual competition were:
- Isa Mercurio, grade 7, Walnut Springs, Toothbrush Trouble;
- Adriane Thompson, grade 8, Genoa, Studying the Mutagenic Effects of Glyphosate and Commercial Herbicide Using the Ames Test;
- Max Pike, grade 8, Walnut Springs, Burn Baby, Burn; and
- Graham Melko, grade 5, Emerson, Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest.
The following students received the highest superior rating in the team competition:
- Evelyn Hounshell and Muna Ali, grade 7, Walnut Springs, Young Kids vs. Gender Stereotypes; and
- Patti Doud and Bryce Gabelman, grade 8, Walnut Springs, Does Gender Affect Memory?.
Aiden Mantenieks and Nathan Hynes, grade 7, Walnut Springs, won a special award for the most creative title and display board with their project Straight Outta Compost.