Each child had approximately 5 weeks to prepare for their experiment. Science boards were donated for each student and computer time was made available throughout the five week period for research. Children were judged on proper presentation and use of the scientific method, science journal (to be updated daily throughout the experiment), and final presentation of experiment on the science board (approximately 3' wide by 2 1/2' tall tri fold board).
First through third place winners in each grade have the opportunity to represent Copperopolis Elementary by competing at the County level in the County Science fair on April 16, 2011.
This years first through third place winners and the title of their winning experiments are:
4th grade:
1st: Ellie Tafjen, "Do different liquids have different effects on plant growth?"
2nd: Hans, "Can we make a light bulb from a regular wire?"
3rd: Duncan Welch, "What are the effects of caffeine on plant growth?"
5th grade:
1st: Gibert Alvarado, "In what room of the house does corn grow best?"
2nd: Shileen Andico, "Does a human, a cat, or a dog have a cleaner mouth?"
3rd: Makayla Avalos, "How do natural plant enzymes work to digest food?"
6th grade:
1st: Brandon Durkee, "Is there a consistent and measurable difference in temperature of water near the surface and the temperature at a depth?"
2nd: Isabelle Herrin, "Which animal has more bacteria in their poop; rabbit, cat, dog, or hamster?
3rd: Addison Stafford, "Do white candles burn faster than colored candles?"
When 6th grader Izzy Herrin was asked how she came up with the idea for her experiment she told of the many ideas she had for experiements but how she worked it down to one. Her interest in the details of gleaning information daily was apparent in her journal. "Bacteria began to grow on the cat and dog samples by the third day." In leiu of agar Izzy used knox gelatin and sterile babyfood jars for her petri dish.
Fifth grader Gilbert Alvarado had the same experience. He too had a few ideas for experiments before completing his experiment on how light affects the growth of corn. "I wanted to plant flowers, but my mother convinced me to grow corn." He enjoyed the process but smiled shyly when he pointed to his hypothesis, "I was one room off." He had chosen the room in his home with southeastern light as the one most beneficial to corn growth but "my parents room with a window facing south" grew the corn best.
4th grader Hans, had been "studying electronics" and snap together electrical boards for a few years and had developed an interest in electricity. When, with his father, he had completed a small curcuit board with LED lights he knew he wanted to conduct a science experiment with electricity, hence, the 2nd place win - Can we make a light bulb from a regular wire?
Congratulations Copper Cougar Scientists! Well done!
Izzy Herrin
Gilbert Alvarado
By, Charity Maness
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