Regional Science Fair at Southern Wesleyan University
The 2015 Regional Science Fair winners are pictured following the awards ceremony March 13 at Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center on the Southern Wesleyan University campus in Central.
Prior to awarding prizes, Regional Science Fair judges diligently examined each experiment and interviewed their creators. From left: Mickey Rickman, Janice Hartsoe and Candi Jones-McCall of Duke Energy look over an experiment where pieces of fruit become homemade batteries that produce electricity. Rickman is a retired SWU mathematics professor and Hartsoe is the university’s registrar.
Southern Wesleyan University hosted the Regional Science Fair March 13, featuring projects presented by nearly 100 students in grades 3-12 from across Pickens, Oconee, Greenville and Anderson counties.
In addition to competing for cash and prizes, students participated in various learning activities during their time on campus, including a forensic science lesson or dissections in the biology labs.
Winning projects in each division were awarded a cash prize, plaque, and ribbon. Projects winning the Junior and Senior Water Award received an additional cash prize and electronic device. Emily Willis qualified her project to compete at the South Carolina American Water Association’s meeting in June, where she will compete for the opportunity to attend and compete at the American Water Association’s Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.
The event was made possible through financial support from Duke Energy Foundation, and participants also enjoyed donations from First Citizens Bank, Gotta Run Clemson, McAlister's Deli and TCBY. Volunteers from Southern Wesleyan University, Hill Electric Company, Clemson University Biological Science Graduate Student Association, South Carolina American Water Association, and Duke Energy served as judges. Additional faculty, staff, and students of Southern Wesleyan University served in a variety of supporting roles during the event.
The 2016 Regional Science Fair, serving Region 1 of South Carolina, will be held March 11, 2016. For details, contact Staci Johnson at (864) 644-5218 or or go online to http://swu.edu/sciencefair.
Regional Science Fair winners were as follows:
Third-Grade:
Third-place – Chuckie Brooks, Oconee Christian Academy; Second-place – Colton Cooper, Oconee Christian Academy; First-place – Seth Watson, Watson Academy
Fourth-Grade Biological:
Third-place – Caroline Brown, Northside Elementary School; Second-place – Mattie Adair, Oconee Christian Academy; First-place – Liam Chandler - Clemson Elementary School
Fourth-Grade Physical Science:
Third-place – Brianna Smith, Northside Elementary School; Second-place – Haley Williams, Clemson Elementary School; First-place – Ryan Cloer, Clemson Elementary School
Fifth-Grade Biological Science:
Third-place – Shane Forrester, Clemson Elementary School; Second-place – Sarah Watson, Watson Academy; First-place – Rori Pumphrey, Keowee Elementary School
Fifth-Grade Physical Science:
Third-place – Evan Craven and Kevin Zhu, Clemson Elementary School; Second-place – Cohl Harding, Northside Elementary School; First-place – Kirkley Fallaw, Six Mile Elementary School
Junior Engineering:
Third-place – Richard Brown, Northside Elementary School; Second-place – Duncan Purser, Keowee Elementary School; First-place – Justin Rochester and Ford McIver, Northside Elementary School
Sixth and Seventh-Grade:
Third-place – William Hubbard, R.C Edwards Middle School; Second-place – Sydney Weeks, R.C. Edwards Middle School; First-place – Emma Culberson, French Bilingual School
Eighth-Grade and High School:
Third-place – Julia Blouin, R.C. Edwards Middle School; Second-place – Makenna Berry, Berry Academy; First-place – Emily Willis, Willis Homeschool
Senior Engineering:
Second-place – Waylon Somero - Somero Academy; First-place – Jesse Springer, Springer Homeschool
Water Drop Award (South Carolina American Water Works Association Junior Award):
Sarah Watson - Watson Academy
South Carolina American Water Works Association Senior Award & Stockholm Junior Water Prize:
Emily Willis, Willis Family Homeschool
Grand Champion:
Liam Chandler - Clemson Elementary School
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.