BCPS Students Explore Science

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 evening at Liberty Middle School. In all, 33 students completed 21 projects with 1st- and 2nd-place winners advancing to a regional science fair Feb. 7.

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

Middle School Biological Science A

1st Sydney B. and Hayden B. - Walter Johnson “The Art of Influence.”
2nd Madeline B. - Heritage “Paws and Playlist: A Study of What Makes Tails Wag.”
3rd Lydia B. and Ida S. - Walter Johnson “Nature vs. Nurture: A Study of the Battle of Organic vs. Chemical Fertilizers on Plant Growth.”

Middle School Chemistry

1st Emilio R-H. and Fisher C. - Walter Johnson “Battle of the Cleaners.”
2nd Lilian M. - Walter Johnson Middle School “Melt Race!”
2nd Xander M. and Easton C. - Heritage “Potato Powerhouse: Making Potato Batteries.”
3rd Sophia L., Caroline R. and Gracie B. - Heritage “Electrolyte Challenge.”

Middle School Earth Science

1st Scarlett R. - Liberty “Farm Funk or Asphalt Junk? Which Runoff is a Daphne Killer?”
2nd Lucy F. - Liberty “What Is the Best Earth-Friendly Material to Protect the Inside of a Package?”
3rd Jordan R. and Jackson L. - Heritage “How to Make Undrinkable Water Drinkable.”

Middle School Engineering

1st Adeline T. - Heritage “Spin to Win: Testing Rotor Design for Maximum Wind Power.”

Middle School Physics

1st Luke L. and Connor B. - Heritage “Taking Out the Trash: A Study of the Most Efficient, Weight-Bearing Trash Bag.”
2nd Fernando M. - Liberty “Going Greener with GEERS (Geo-Electrolysis Energy Recovery System).”

Middle School Technology

1st Hughes H. and James R. - Walter Johnson “Real or Rendered: Can Our Minds Tell the Difference?”

High School Biological Science A

1st Knowlton L. - Patton “Speed Kills.”

High School Earth Science

1st Gabby F. - Patton “Evaluation of Hurricane Helene’s Impact on the Eastern Hellbender in North Carolina.”

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.