5th Grader Aubrey Slaughter Wins Oak Grove Elementary School Science Fair
Durham, NC – Oak Grove Elementary School held its Science Fair on Friday April 13th in the school’s cafeteria. Under the supervision of Ms. Andria Hall, Science Fair Coordinator, third, fourth, and fifth grade AIG (academically or intellectually gifted) students displayed their experiments for other students in the school and for the judges.
5th Grader Aubrey Slaughter won! Her experiment title was Movement Power Homopolar Motor. Each student, donned in their bright yellow ‘Mad Scientist’ t-shirt, was to define their experiment by developing a question and presenting their hypothesis or how a particular process or phenomenon works. Their experiment could also aim to answer a “what if” question about a specific expectation.
Each experiment included controls which increased the reliability of the results. The students listed their materials and processes. After determining the results of the observations made in the experiment, the students checked to see whether their predictions came true and what they found out about the hypothesis.
Kindergarten classes planted sunflower seeds using a pre-determined soil mixture. Each child was responsible for his or her plant, watering, etc. Each seed sprouted and was on display at the Science Fair. The students will plant the flowers in front of the school before the end of the school year. This has become a tradition for kindergarten students at Oak Grove Elementary School as the school grounds are beautiful, full of flowers grown and planted by its students.
Judging was based on a 100-point system with 10 areas to consider for a total of 10 points each. All of the experiments were excellent which could have made judging extremely difficult. But each experiment was scored on its own merit and not against each other. The winner was determined by the student receiving the highest total score from all judges combined.
The judges were not introduced to each other so it was not possible to compare notes. There was a comment section on the bottom of each scoring sheet allowing judges to offer praise and/or constructive criticism.
Teachers and school administrators added the scores over the weekend and the winner was announced Monday April 15th. As a judge, all I can say is there are some future scientists and engineers at Oak Grove Elementary School!
Oak Grove Elementary School Science Fair highlights (Photos: Phyllis Coley):
