The SMS Science Fair was held Friday, February 7. Once again our students in grades 3-8 met the challenge and did a wonderful job completing their research, using the scientific process, and finally, explaining a complex process to highly qualified judges. Every year, SMS has some of the best science fair judging in the state, which is incredibly important, because our students get real feedback and suggestions that help them grow as young scientists and problem solvers. Our judges ranged from medical professionals, to engineers, to veterinarians, to scientists, to ag professionals, to former SMS students who have competed and earned superior scores at the state level. On behalf of the students of SMS thank you to our 18 judges who took a day off from work or school to share their expertise and advice with our students.
Skills like doing research, problem solving, using the scientific process, and the ability to explain complex processes to adults are incredibly important lessons to learn for our students. To do well, it takes hard work, grit and perseverance, which is why it seems like fewer and fewer schools participate each year. To quote President John F Kennedy, "We choose to do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." I am proud of how hard our students work on this, and although it is tough in the moment, when you talk to our alumni, they will tell you that they are glad they learned how to accel in project like this at SMS.
Besides our judges, I would also like to thank our staff members who went above and beyond to help our students with their projects. In most places the project is announced and dumped in the lap of parents, creating more stress, or causing the students to quit the project altogether. Our staff has worked in class and after hours to help our students with their projects and incorporating them into class. Thanks to Mrs. Seip for providing lunch and refreshments for our judges. Thanks to Mrs. Ashton for helping so many students with their research, data and putting their projects. Thanks to Mrs. Kacy, who helped the 3rd and 4th grade in her first year as their science teacher. Thanks also to Mrs. Hamilton, who did most of the organization of the Science Fair, as well as help the 5th-8th grade with their projects.
Congratulations to our students (five from each grade, listed below) who have qualified to compete at the Brown County Science Fair, on Saturday, February 22, with a "Superior" rating. Congratulations also to all of our students who received an "Excellent" ribbon. Our judges were very impressed with these projects! The most outstanding project in each grade also received a blue ribbon, and the runner up in each grade a red ribbon. Finally, there were trophies awarded for the overall school, most outstanding project, and runner up.
3rd Grade
Gianna Doss (Outstanding Project)
Elianna Black (Runner Up)
Lexa Wireman
Kate Noel
Isaiah Davenport
4th Grade
Josephine Ernst (Outstanding Project)
Annabelle Burke (Runner Up)
Pax Burrows
Oscar Sentney
Kanynn Smith
5th Grade
Justin Nead (Outstanding Project)
Kolton Boggs (Runner Up)
Brynlee Bentley
Luke Brookbank
Weston Wireman
6th Grade
Zoey Durham (Outstanding Project)
Josie Sentney (Runner Up)
Bryn Huffman
Lainey Tracy
Avery Poole
7th Grade
Ella Seip (Outstanding Project)
Olivia Kirk (Runner Up)
Lucia Burrows
Ashleigh Boldman
Easton Swearingen
8th Grade
Makynli Hauke (Outstanding Project)
Griffin Ernst (Runner Up)
Elli Hedges
Abby Collins
Joseph Gast
School, Overall
Makynli Hauke (Most Outstanding Project)
Zoey Durham (Runner Up)
