South Fork science fair teeming with new talent
|
Summer Campbell - Kern Valley Sun
Junior scientists from the South Fork Middle School gathered in the school's community center to share their latest scientific theories.
South Fork Middle School celebrated their 21st year producing young science entrepreneurs as a part of their annual science fair. The scientists in training are under the internship of South Fork Middle School teacher Mary Ann Morgan. Morgan has her students create science projects every year, 'It is so good for them to do this,' remarked Morgan. The students start brainstorming ideas for their projects in October, but do not complete their projects until they have fully explored the details of the scientific method. Students practiced developing questions, hypothesis, experiments and conclusions in class before tackling their own scientific concepts.
Various community members from the Forest Service, Masonic Lodge and the Kern River Valley Chamber came out to interview and judge the students’ experiments. 'The cool thing is that there are projects from kids that are gifted to special education and they are all cool,' said Morgan.
Students conducted projects on everything from 'Would you rather be bitten by a dog or a human,' the ability of balloons to separate pepper from salt, and alternative energy sources.
Several of the judges representing the Forest Service gathered around eighth grade scientist Stephanie Lopez to see her results on Isabella Lake bacteria. Lopez tested various sites around the lake to determine which site had the most bacteria. 'Each site contained about the same amount of bacteria,' explained Lopez. Lopez took her samples to McRay Laboratory in Bakersfield to test the water for bacteria. 'I go swimming a lot at Stine Cove and I wanted to know if I was safe.' While Stine Cove didn't exhibit an alarming amount of bacteria Paradise Cove won the number one spot for most coliform bacteria whereas French Gulch marina was found to have the most dangerous bacteria, Ecoli.
While Lopez was concerned about the bacteria, she was informed that the human body builds an immunity to most the bacteria found in the lake and thus it is not unsafe to swim in these areas.
Sixth grade student, Zach Heffner, displayed his research of potato acid as an alternative energy source. Hefner with the help of his dad constructed a experiment that allowed potato acid to travel through copper and zinc to power a light.
Heffner was attempting to discover whether a potato acid powered light or a battery powered light would last longer. 'The potato acid light lasted for about four hours,' said Heffner. While the battery light lasted longer, Heffner was still able to prove that potato acid can in fact be used as a renewable energy source.
The students who placed high at the South Fork Middle School Science Fair will have the opportunity to move on to the Kern County Science Fair held on April 2 at the Bakersfield Convention Center.
The top science experiments included Stephanie Lopez, 8th grade, testing the lake water for bacteria, Corey Mixon, 7th grade, testing the difference between hydroponics, aeroponics, and soil growth of plants, Daniel Morgan, 7th grade, testing different organic matters in the growth of a grain crop, Zach Heffner, 6th grade, testing the generation of electricity using potatoes, Ty Hurley, 6th grade, testing plant growth with and without worms in the soil, and Miko Tollefson, 6th grade, testing the growth of plants with different color pots.
With up and coming scientists such as those who exhibited their experiments at South Fork Middle School's 21st annual science fair, we are sure to have new developments in renewable energy resources and safer water for recreation lakes in no time.
South Fork Middle School would like to extend their thanks to the volunteer judges who not only judged the projects, but engaged the students.
