Not just for science fanatics
While Holden Jung wasn’t anxious about presenting his first science fair project, “The Power of Poop,” to a room full of judges, he was nervous about competing against a room full of his peers.
Presenting a project that would make most kids blush, Holden, 11, was charming and confident as he explained his project, which studied what types of biomass produced the most biogas.
“I’m kind of nervous because I’ve got good competition,” said the sixth-grade Challenger K-8 student. “I don’t get very embarrassed about anything. I like showing off wacky things.”
More than 100 students competed Thursday during the Hernando County School District’s Science and Engineering Fair at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, hoping their projects on lung capacity or a worm’s sense of smell would help them move on to larger competitions.
Holden spent four days studying fertilizer using fruits, vegetables and meats mixed with cow manure to see which combination produced the most biogas.
“I noticed my family has a lot of food waste on the table,” said Holden, who hopes to become a college professor. “I wanted to put this towards useable energy. It would make a good impact on the economy.”
Sixth- through 12th-grade students, including private and home schooled, compete in eight categories, including botany, chemistry, physics, microbiology, zoology and environmental, behavioral and earth and space science.
The top three students are chosen from each category, allowing 24 students to move on to compete in the state science fair in Orlando. The top two high school competitors will earn a spot at the international science fair in Los Angeles.
The thought of moving on to state kept Cole Kolasa, 13, calm as he presented his entry to one of the judges. He had been in that situation before.
The eighth-grade Challenger student competed in the district science fair last year, winning second place in the zoology category for his project on how distance from the shore affects the diversity of coral, which also won him fifth place in the state science fair.
“I plan to go to states,” Cole said confidently as he straightened his tie.
For this year’s project, Cole spent two months off the shores of Bayport studying, measuring and photographing robust ivory coral, examining how the volume of coral affects the amount of fish and crabs that inhabit there.
“I love the ocean,” said Cole, who is scuba certified. “It’s very interesting. No one knows much about robust ivory coral.”
Cole said his favorite part of participating in science fairs is getting to interact with students he might not have met otherwise.
“You get to see all these other people and what they do,” said Cole who wants to study marine engineering in college. “You learn a lot, too. It really helps you later in life.”
District science fair coordinator Colleen Doulk said judges included volunteers from the forensics unit of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Chinsegut Nature Center, retired engineers and other science professionals within the community.
Doulk said the fair provides middle school students with a chance to improve on their science abilities while high school students are given the opportunity to win college scholarships.
“I think it’s amazing. They really do learn,” she said. “In the end, they learn something whether they get here or not.”
The extensive data collection, teamwork and public speaking proficiency students put forth not only promotes an interest in science but improves the students’ life skills, Doulk said.
“It’s not about a pretty board. It’s about the content of the board,” she said. “There is so much to it than just the science aspect. It covers all of your educational skills.”
Hernando County Science and Engineering Fair winners will be announced Feb. 9. For more information, contact Doulk at Challenger K-8 at 352-797-7024 ext. 301.
Reporter Hayley Mathis can be reached at 352-544-5225 or [email protected].
