Young scientists shine at Burke science fair for middle, high school

From testing whether music can influence living things to measuring the impact of natural disasters, curious young scientists in Burke County Public Schools put the scientific method to the test, conducted experiments on probing questions and displayed their findings on colorful tri-fold boards.

Their work culminated in the annual Burke County secondary education science fair and awards on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Liberty Middle School.

In all, 33 students completed 21 projects with first- and second-place winners advancing to a regional science fair Feb. 7.

Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “Congratulations to all of our middle and high school students who entered this year’s science fair. Their projects demonstrate a profound commitment to learning and a willingness to see an idea through from inception to completion. These students didn’t stop at curiosity, but they followed it through with hard work and determination. We are excited for those who advanced to regionals and know they will represent Burke County Public Schools well at the next level.”

A special thanks to Aumovio for sponsoring the science fair.

First-, second- and third-place winners are listed below.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE A

• First: Sydney Burleson and Hayden Burleson; Walter Johnson Middle; “The Art of Influence”
• Second: Madeline Bowman; Heritage Middle; “Paws and Playlist: A Study of What Makes Tails Wag”
• Third: Lydia Bjorlie and Ida Simcox; Walter Johnson Middle; “Nature vs. Nurture: A Study of the Battle of Organic vs. Chemical Fertilizers on Plant Growth”

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEMISTRY

• First: Emilio Risso-Hemstreet and Fisher Collinson; Walter Johnson Middle; “Battle of the Cleaners”
• Second: Lilian McKinney; Walter Johnson Middle; “Melt Race!”
• Second: Xander Martinez and Easton Charlet; Heritage Middle; “Potato Powerhouse: Making Potato Batteries”
• Third: Sophia Love, Caroline Rollyson, and Gracie Bowen; Heritage Middle; “Electrolyte Challenge”

MIDDLE SCHOOL EARTH SCIENCE

• First: Scarlett Rogers; Liberty Middle: “Farm Funk or Asphalt Junk? Which Runoff is a Daphne Killer?”
• Second: Lucy Fisher; Liberty Middle; “What Is the Best Earth-Friendly Material to Protect the Inside of a Package?”
• Third: Jordan Ruddy and Jackson Lester; Heritage Middle; “How to Make Undrinkable Water Drinkable”

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGINEERING

• First: Adeline Thomas; Heritage Middle; “Spin to Win: Testing Rotor Design for Maximum Wind Power”

MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICS

• First: Luke Lowman and Connor Branch; Heritage Middle; “Taking Out the Trash: A Study of the Most Efficient, Weight-Bearing Trash Bag”
• Second: Fernando Magallon; Liberty Middle; “Going Greener with GEERS (Geo-Electrolysis Energy Recovery System)”

MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY

• First: Hughes Haas and James Russ; Walter Johnson Middle; “Real or Rendered: Can Our Minds Tell the Difference?”

HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE A

• First: Knowlton Lee; Patton High; “Speed Kills”

HIGH SCHOOL EARTH SCIENCE

• First: Gabby Fisher; Patton High; “Evaluation of Hurricane Helene’s Impact on the Eastern Hellbender in North Carolina”