Barker STEM Fair Round #2 2016-2017
Why study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics? Why complete a STEM Fair project? Fortune 500 magazine’s 9 out of the top 10 companies in 2014 are from the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. President Barack Obama stated: “Maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America’s success. But if we want to win the future…then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.” We must encourage and inspire students to study in the STEM fields and connect them with educational and career opportunities. Our students are the inventors, scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians of the future!
Barker Middle School is a STEM school! Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are the focus. As part of our goals as a STEM school, EVERY student at Barker was required to complete a STEM Fair project for the 2nd grading period for Round 1.
Thirty-seven students qualified for Round 2 which was held on Thursday, January 19th. Biological Division had 9 projects, Chemical Division had 12 projects, and the Physical Division had 16 projects. Judging was during the day and based on Scientific Thought, Creative Ability, Thoroughness, Technical Skill, Clarity, and Dramatic Value. Elite projects will be encouraged to participate in the Regional Science & Engineering Fair at Valparaiso University on Saturday, March 25th. Good Luck, Barker STEM Fair participants!
Northwestern Indiana Science and Engineering Fair at Valparaiso University:
http://www.valpo.edu/events/nwisef/
Judges: Greg Kearney, Grover Medley, Mike Powers, and Bruce Starek
Barker Science Teachers: Maria Surma, 8th; Jill Grabowski, 8th and 7th; Val Mecklenburg, 7th
STEM Fair Coordinator: Amy Hamann, Curriculum Coach
Biological Division (9 projects)
3rd Place, “Left vs. Right”, 7th grade, Makaylee Coapstick
2nd Place, “Genders in Video Games”, 7th grade, Brooklyn Fugate
1st Place, “Never Judge a Book by It’s Cover”, 8th grade, Julia Ringstad
Chemical Division (12 projects)
3rd Place, “Which Brand of Chips are the Greasiest?”, 7th grade, Danielle Fricke
2nd Place, “How Do You Fuel?”, 7th grade, Canyon Richardson
1st Place, “Dissolving M & M’s”, 7th grade, Heather Lewis
Physical Division (16 projects)
3rd Place, “Electromagnet”, 8th grade, Dustin Rhodes
2nd Place, “Blast Off”, 7th grade, Riley Steinhiser
1st Place, “Insulated Cups”, 8th grade, Vince Bruemmer
Creative Research Award
Physical Science Division, “Dirty Electricity”, 8th grade, Nathan Antisdel
Grand Champion
Biological Division, “Total Recall”, 7th grade, Arnica Sheaffer