Eruptions, how plants drink water top Science Fair

Depicting different types of volcanic eruptions and describing how plants take in water topped this year’s Hopwood Junior High School Science Fair.

Seventh graders Denicia Avendano and Jhaneeka Atalig bagged first place for their research study on the “Types of Volcanic Eruptions” while eight-grade student Justin Cabrera won first place for his project entitled “How Plants Drink Water.”

The two students beat 38 other hopefuls during the fair. Second place winner for the seventh-grade category was Wang Yue for her “Simulated Sunset” while the tandem of Dave Jones and Eric Tenorio won third place for their project on “Density of Liquids.”

Sam Nepaial, an eight-grader, ranked second in his category with his project on “Conductivity of Liquid Solutions” and Maryana Gramlich’s study on the saltiest tap water on Saipan bagged third place.

The judges, composed of HJHS Science teachers, looked at the originality, levels of skills used in the project especially on applying the scientific method and the presentation manner of the projects.

Science Fair coordinator and HJHS Science laboratory teacher Bree Reynolds said the winners would be officially announced tonight during the PTSA meeting at 6pm. She added that the Science teachers will also be presenting on what they have been doing at Hopwood and parents will do a mini experiment in front of the kids.

Reynolds said she was very impressed with the turnout of the Science Fair held last Thursday afternoon. She said 20 students competed for seventh grade and eight grade categories.

The Science Fair is the first fair held at the junior high school in two years, said Reynolds. The objectives of the fair this year were to help the students practice the actual research and experimenting processes that is to design, apply and record the findings in the study. She added that following the scientific method is what her department wants the students to learn from completing their projects.

“Science should be taught with hands on practices and not just read it on textbooks,” Reynolds said.

HJHS principal Jim Brewer said he was also overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of his students who were very energetic in accomplishing all their projects for the Science Fair.