EKSC HOSTS REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR

The East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium (EKSC) held its Regional Science Fair on Saturday, November 7 on the Prestonsburg campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC).

More than 45 students participated in the event, which awarded cash prizes to first-, second- and third-place winners as well as teachers of the first-place winner. The Regional Science Fair was presented by Highlands Regional Medical Center. Other sponsors were Summit Engineering, Ross Tarrant Architects, Steve and Jan Russo, Rosenburg and Associates, the Henry Davidson Fitzpatrick Charitable Trust and Lula Bowling.

Its always an exciting time when you see children engaged in science, said Steve Russo, director of the EKSC. We had some great entries, and we are so fortunate to have great partners within our school districts.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of BSCTC, said the EKSC is the premier STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) facility in the region.

If we want a brighter future, we have to create it,amp;rdrdquo; said Dr. Stephenson. If we inspired one person through this event, it was worth it. Its about presenting opportunities that can change lives and change our region.

Below is a recap of the winners:

Fourth Grade
First place Todd Prater, Duff Elementary School, BristleBots: The Need for Speed; second place Erin Lucas, Valley Elementary School Cold, Cold and Cooler; third place Brody Jones, Prestonsburg Elementary School, Mentos vs. Diet Coke.

Fifth Grade
First place Gatlin Vanover, Robinson Elementary School, Going Green as you Clean; second place Parker Williams, Hazard Middle School, Will an Aspirin a Day Keep the Doctor Away; third place Isabella Blackburn, Duff Elementary School, Starburst Challenge

Sixth Grade
First place Lauren Mullins, Valley Elementary School, Does Insulation Matter; second place Alexa Muha, Hazard Middle School, Sugar Rush; third place Lauryn McCoy, Wesley Christian School, How Random

Seventh Grade
First place Taylen Hylton, East Perry Elementary School, Whats in Your Wallet; second place Haley Bowling, Hazard Middle School, Which Container Traps the Most Heat; third place Jordon Boyd, Allen Elementary School, The Splatter Matter

Eighth Grade
First place Edwin Fields, Hazard Middle School, Whats Really in Water; second place Riele Holbrook, June Buchanan School, The Effect of Different Beverages on the Heart

Ninth Grade
First place Eden Slone, Knott Central High School, Happy Feet; second place Jacob Morris, Allen Central High School, The Effects of Hand Sanitizer on the Growth of Bacteria; third place Chris Gipson, David School, Magic Balloon

Tenth Grade
First place Kade Meade, Betsy Layne High School, Vinegar Acidity; second place Nadia Richardson, Knott Central High School, Whos Afraid of the Dark; third place Devan Shepherd, David School, Testing Electromagnets

11th Grade
First place Ariana Velasquez, Pikeville High School, The Effects of Altitude on Temperature; second place Adam Hotelling, Knott Central High School, The Effect of Cap Diameter on Spray Height; third place Mary Lucas, Shelby Valley High School, Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz

12th Grade
First place Megan Hall, June Buchanan School, The Effect of Various Solutions on Electrolysis Level; second place Merkie Slone, Knott Central High School, Holy Cow, is that DNA; third place Lakeisha Crum, Betsy Layne High School, Do you Kiss your Mother with that Mouth

The following teachers were also awarded cash prizes: Alyssa Preece, Duff Elementary School; Michael Slagell, Robinson Elementary School; Larra Damron, Valley Elementary School; Debbie Wooten, East Perry Elementary School; JoAnn Hall, Hazard Middle School; Angela King, Knott Central High School; Kari Cornett, Betsy Layne High School; Susan Kennon, Pikeville High School; and Paul Sturgill, June Buchannan School.