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Scores of sixth-grade scientists display their work at Malabar
malabar scienceThe science projects of more than 100 students ringed the basketball court at Malabar Intermediate School Tuesday afternoon.

      Eighteen students earned superior ratings Tuesday during Malabar Intermediate School’s first-ever sixth-grade science fair.

      Science teacher Becki Smith, who coordinated the event, said approximately 130 students participated. Entries displayed in the gym were judged by teachers and members of the community.

      “I think the kids are nervous but excited,” Smith said, as the sixth-graders waited patiently to explain their projects to the judges.

      “We started in September with a list of 50 possible topics for science fair topics. We then reduced the number to 10, then five and then to the one each student chose. I am amazed at how many students followed through and completed their projects.”

      The students’ entries followed science-fair protocol by first identifying the question they sought to answer. Among the topics: How does smell affect taste? Does the weight of the battery affect a drone’s flight?  Does chewing gum make you smarter?

      Each young scientist offered his or her hypothesis, then explained their research and the procedures they followed to reach a conclusion.

      “As sixth-graders, none of the students who earned superior ratings can advance to a next level. However, our hope is that they are stimulated to want to participate in science fairs as they advance to middle school and high school,” Smith said.

      The science fair was organized as a family engagement activity at Malabar. From 3 to 4 p.m. many parents and grandparents were on hand to inspect the displays.

      Students whose projects earned superior ratings included: Jillian Fogle, Jayden Clark, Layla Henderson, Rihanna Marshall, Alyce White, Quinn Hodapp, Tatianna Porter, Dominick Roman and Noah Cox.

      Also rated as superior were the projects of Noah Marsh, Parker Proffitt, Kaylee Davis, Nicholas Shaffer, Saneyah Saavedra, Brooklynn Crawford, Lilianna Ison, Kaiden Jones and Nick Redman.

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