S.C. Region 1 2016 Science Fair winners announced
Southern Wesleyan University hosted the S.C. Region 1 Science Fair March 11, featuring projects presented by 131 students in grades 3-12 from Anderson, Laurens, Greenville, Oconee and Pickens Counties. The 2016 fair was historic due to the reconsolidation of Regions 1A and 1B, which had hosted separate fairs for more than 20 years.
In keeping with the University’s core value of “contagious generosity,” Southern Wesleyan has been proud to partner with the region’s teachers and parents to further STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. The fair provides an opportunity for all students who are interested in science and technology to pursue their personal areas of interest and display their research as a presentation in a public competitive forum. Due to the support of the SWU Science Division and many generous sponsors, students from across the region are invited to participate with no entry fees required.
Students were provided the chance to compete for cash awards and other prizes, including a $500 SWU Scholarship. All students in attendance received a Certificate of Merit from the South Carolina Academy of Science, a t-shirt, and collection of coupons from area businesses.
High school winners are eligible to participate at the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science competition in April. In addition, students from Southside High School were invited to compete at the State level for advancement in the Stockholm Junior Water Award competition hosted by WEASC in Columbia this June.
Southern Wesleyan University faculty, staff and students volunteered in a variety of capacities to allow the event to operate. Employees of Duke Energy, NCEES, Hill Electric Company, and Southern Wesleyan University, as well as community volunteers, judged the students’ entries. Southern Wesleyan Science Club members also gave demonstrations of various science concepts in breakout sessions on the Central campus.
“Southern Wesleyan University is greatly appreciative for the generous sponsors that made the event registration free for all student participants,” said Dr. Lisa McWherter, SWU vice president for advancement. The South Carolina Region 1 Science Fair sponsors include Wells Fargo, ServPro, Volunteer Benefits, Nano Cleaning Solutions, Visit Clemson, Palmetto Physical Medicine and private and anonymous donors.
Planning is already underway for the 2017 South Carolina Region 1 Science Fair to be held on Friday, March 10, 2017. All students in South Carolina Region 1, which includes Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, and Pickens counties, are invited to participate. Please visit our website (www.swu.edu/sciencefair) or contact Staci Johnson, Director at (864) 644-5256 or to learn more about entering student projects, volunteering at the fair, or lending your financial support to the event.
2016 Winners:
Third-Grade Division: Third-Place – Seth Watson, Watson Academy; Second-Place – Colleen DiMaio, Hickory Hill Homeschool Academy; First-Place – Kylie Willis, Mount Lebanon Elementary School.
Fourth-Grade Division: Third-Place – Kamari Hudson, Northside Elementary School; Second-Place – Claire Lindsey, Northside Elementary School; First-Place – Jackson Lee-Sosolik, Clemson Elementary School.
Fifth-Grade Biological Science: Third-Place – Tyriannah Williams, Northside Elementary School; Second-Place – Anna White, Keowee Elementary School; First-Place – Brianna Smith, Northside Elementary School.
Fifth-Grade Physical Science – Division A: Third-Place – Tyler Peace, A.R. Lewis Elementary School; Second-Place – Samantha Fasalino, Keowee Elementary School; First-Place – Richard Brown, Northside Elementary School.
Fifth-Grade Physical Science – Division B: Third-Place – Casen Shoemaker, Six Mile Elementary School; Second-Place – Jared Haynes, Six Mile Elementary School; First-Place – Will Trotter, Six Mile Elementary School.
Sixth-Grade: Third-Place – Carter Berry, Berry Academy; Second-Place – Katie Grimes, R.C. Edwards Middle School; First-Place – Carolin Justus, R.C. Edwards Middle School.
Seventh-Grade Biological Science: Third-Place – Nimasha Jayasingle, R.C. Edwards Middle School; Second-Place – Sam Bruce, R.C. Edwards Middle School; First-Place – Zoe Willis, Riverside Middle School.
Seventh-Grade Physical Science: Third-Place – Henley Armon, Gray Court Owings Middle School; Second-Place – Sarah Collins, Gray Court Owings Middle School; First-Place – Trinaty Noble, Laurens Middle School.
Eighth-Grade – Physical Science: Third-Place – Josh Baskins, Gray Court Owings Middle School; Second-Place – Nathan Marks, Marks Academy; First-Place – Erica Guell, Rose Academy.
Eighth-Grade – Biological Science: Third-Place – Grace Whitmire, Gray Court Owings Middle School; Second-Place – Addison Berry, Berry Academy; First-Place – Callie Williamson, Williamson Classical Academy.
High School: Second-Place – Makenna Berry, Berry Academy; First-Place – Ronak Malde, Kevin Tian, Brendon Lee – Southside High School
Engineering: Second-Place – Zak Brown, Andrea Choice, Taj Amaker – Sanders Middle School; First-Place – Anaiya Amaker, Brenda Bennett, Ke’aja Bluford – Sanders Middle School.
Computer Science Award: Vineet Saraf, R.C. Edwards Middle School.
Junior Water Award & Grand Champion: Zoe Willis, Riverside Middle School.
AWWA and Stockholm Senior Water (eligible to compete at SCJAS and WEASC state competitions): Ronak Malde, Kevin Tian, Brendon Lee – Southside High School
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