Just over 110 projects were submitted for Plymouth Scholars’ optional celebration of science and engineering. Third-through-eighth-grade students were eligible to participate, while younger students saw the projects in action, providing inspiration and excitement for K-2 scholars.
First-grade Teacher Dayna Finley helped organize the event, and said there was about an even split between science projects and engineering projects, adding the Science Fair helps students engage with the material.
“We had a lot of unique projects that stood out this year,” Finley said. “It’s engaging because it provides students a chance to be creative and use the inquiry process. It allows students to explore questions and lets them be creative.”
Among the outstanding projects at this year’s event were:
- A model for a protective cover for line drying that is used when the system senses rain and protects clothes.
- An analysis of curing times for nail polish under different forms of light.
- An earthquake simulator that tested different structures and how they’d react to earthquake vibrations.
- Strengthened biodegradable plastic, which was tested by changing certain elements of the material.
- 3D printed shoe inserts using car air fresheners to make for an odorless shoe.
- Analysis of baseball performance after drinking water vs. sports drinks.
Gupta said over time, her projects have improved, adding that she sees every project as a learning opportunity.
“When I started participating in fifth grade, I saw it as a fun way to solve problems,” Gupta said. “I’ve always wanted to do this because It feels like I’m making a difference, and it makes me more confident in myself.”
Gupta’s Science Fair success has gone beyond the walls of Plymouth Scholars. She qualified for and placed at last year’s Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit (SEFMD). Her project was a study of how different sugar-to-water ratios affect edible glass. While she walked away with a grand award that included a laptop, she also left with a new perspective.
“Looking at all those projects really made me more innovative, and it showed me there’s a whole wide world of science out there with so many different things to test,” Gupta said. “It was an amazing experience because it taught me how to build my projects and it helped me grow.”
Gupta has the opportunity to showcase her edible plastic at this year’s SEFMD along with some of her classmates. Finley shared the school hopes to send nine students and their projects to SEFMD this year.
What might start out as a fun outlet to problem solve can lead to scholarships and even a career path. Finley said that she is proud of students for taking up the challenge and knows they will see the results of their labor.
“It’s a lot of extra work for these students to take on,” Finley said. “It really does benefit these students. It shows them that hard work pays off. Even if it is a small scholarship now, it does show that your hard work is rewarded.”
What a great event, Plymouth Scholars! Good luck at SEFMD!
Plymouth Scholars is a tuition-free, public charter school in Plymouth, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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