First-Ever Science Fair Held At Pulaski Middle School

March 30, 2015 Submitted article

Pulaski Middle School held its first-ever science fair on March 24.

Science teacher Melisa Jennings said this has been a dream of hers for years.

Seventh grade Fabiana Suárez gives Aiden McCormack a test on neuroplasticity at the Pulaski Middle School science fair. She uses brushes to stroke a fake hand that the test subject can see and the subject’s real hand, which is hidden behind a screen. Suárez explains that McCormack’s brain thinks it has a new arm to take care of and ceases regulating the temperature of his real arm. When McCormack touches his hands to his face, he finds that his right hand is much colder to the touch.
Seventh grader Fabiana Suárez gives Aiden McCormack a test on neuroplasticity at the Pulaski Middle School science fair. She uses brushes to stroke a fake hand that the test subject can see and the subject’s real hand, which is hidden behind a screen. Suárez explains that McCormack’s brain thinks it has a new arm to take care of and ceases regulating the temperature of his real arm. When McCormack touches his hands to his face, he finds that his right hand is much colder to the touch.

The students initiated the program themselves, coming up with judging parameters and rules on their own.

The competition was open to all middle school students and participation was voluntary.

High school science teachers Kevin Finerghty and Sandra McCullough and technology teacher Tom Pullen judged the entrants on presentation, scientific procedure, data and analysis and more.

In first place were Zoe Eisel and Allie Denny for their project “Eggs in Acid,” which studied the effects of acidity levels on eggs.

Second place went to sixth graders Josh Carquello, Micah Charsky and Landon Jones for their experiment “Liquid Density Layers” in which they compared the density of household products including dish soap, steak sauce and vegetable oil.

Incorporating a love of basketball, the boys used a little creativity to devise a bracket competition of 16 household items in honor of March Madness.

They boys said they were most surprised that vegetable oil was denser than syrup.

Brooke Zimner and Sydney Delosh received third place for their investigation on the effects of tea, coffee and cola on a person’s teeth.

The winners of the first-ever Pulaski Middle School science fair showcase their medals and ribbons with the contest judges and their science teacher Melisa Jennings.
The winners of the first-ever Pulaski Middle School science fair showcase their medals and ribbons with the contest judges and their science teacher Melisa Jennings.

They discovered that coffee had the highest acidity levels with the most potential for teeth staining.

The judges each selected a “Judge’s Favorite” candidate as well. Jory Graves, Joseph Moore and Brodie Mooney were recognized for their fruit and electricity experiment.

Madison Mae Wilder and Brooklyn Bencivenni were recognized for their project “How Electronics Affect Sleep and Dreams.” Lastly, Fabiana Suárez received recognition for her experiment on perceptual psychology.

Next year, Jennings plans to conduct the science fair earlier in the year and give the students a chance to continue on to the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) science fair. missing or outdated ad config

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