ANNA — On Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, the Shelby County Science Day was held at Anna Local High School for Shelby County students, grades 5 to 12. Twenty-nine students from Anna Local Middle School and High School, and Jackson Center Middle School completed science research projects and presented their findings to area professionals, researchers, and educators.
This event offered students a venue that promotes the development of creative thinking, research and writing skills and career motivation toward the sciences, all in one program. Project topics may be in biology, chemistry, botany, space and earth sciences, computers, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, medicine and health and behavioral and social science.
Eleven students received the highest rating of “Superior”. From Anna Local High School, they were: Korash Assani, Nick Bulle, Connor Rioch, Tyler McKee, Rebecca Berning, Mackenzie Wells, Mindy Schmitmeyer, Avery Bensman and a team project by Aaron Brautigan and Briana Fanaff.
From Jackson Center with a Superior was Regan Davidson. These students are eligible to compete at the Upper Miami Valley District Science Day held at Edison State Community College on Feb. 27. Students receiving a superior at District may go on to the State contest held at The Ohio State University in May.
Students receiving “Excellent” ratings from Anna were: Luke Albers, Weston Bensman, Ryan Bertke, Morgan Brunswick, Nathanial Bulle, Anthony Edelman, Robert Ehemann, Rachel Gehret, Eric Heideman, Camron Layman, Bailey McKinney, Ross Pulfer, Jennifer Robinson, Nathan Steifel, Allison Witer, Kyle Wuebker, Ashlie York and Macy Wiktorowski.
Anna Juniors Aaron Brautigan and Briana Fanaff were awarded the Grand Prize of $100. Avery Bensman was second and Mindy Schmitmeyer was third, each were awarded $50. Avery Bensman was also awarded $50 for Best Engineering or Physics project and Aaron Brautigan and Briana Fanaff received $50 for Best Non-Engineering or Physics project.
The award for Best Presentation of Data, $50, went to Regan Davidson, and the award for Best Abstract, $50, went to Nathaniel Bulle, with second going to Macy Wiktorowski, who also won the drawing for a one year family membership to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, in Dayton, an $100 value.
Event sponsors donated awards and gift certificates in an amount totaling $650. Sponsors included Cargill, Premier Health, Dayton Society of Natural History and Anna Local High School. Area professionals and community members volunteered to judge the projects, aided by area science teachers.
The students, their teachers, Vicki Quinter, Amy Larger, Sarah Kipker, and Anna Local High School, all wish to thank the sponsors and volunteers for making the 2016 Shelby County Science Day a successful event. Anyone with questions about the science fair program should contact Dr. Martin E. English, 1470 W. Main Street, Tipp City, Ohio, 45371, 667-3217, or email: [email protected].