16 LCPS students moving on to state Science Fair after regional wins

Sixteen LCPS elementary and middle school students and their 15 Science Fair projects will move on to the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair next month after qualifying in regional competition March 6.

The students brought home five first-place awards from the regional Science Fair, held virtually this year. Three of those five went to students from E.B. Frink Middle School and a fourth Frink student earned a second place.

“We are so incredibly fortunate to have such a strong science department here at FMS. Our science teachers are constantly creating hands-on, exciting experiences for our students, allowing them to experience different facets of science,” Kristen Davenport, a former science teacher and current digital learning specialist at Frink, said. “Seeing all four of our students advance to the state competition speaks volumes for our wonderful students and science teachers.”

State competition in the Elementary Division will be held April 24. Advancing from LCPS, including eligible honorable mention recipients, are: Eliza Rouse, Pink Hill Elementary, first place; Easton Vinson, La Grange Elementary, second place; and Paisley Howard, Southwood Elementary, third place; and honorable mention winners Braxton Skoczylas, La Grange Elementary; Tevon Shackleford, Southwood Elementary; Jaylee Levey, Moss Hill Elementary; Joshua Stroud, Pink Hill Elementary; and Emma Kearney, Banks Elementary.

State competition in the Junior Division is scheduled for April 17. Advancing from LCPS are: Fawn Creech, E.B. Frink Middle, first place, Biological Science A; Teague Tingen-Cribb, E.B. Frink Middle, first place, Biological Science B; Jeanna Vann, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, first place, Chemistry; Aiden Skoczylas, E.B. Frink, first place, Earth and Environmental Science; Layla Wentzell, E.B. Frink Middle, second place, Biological Science B; Lesley Wiggins and Eagan Ballard, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, second place, Technology; and Naylan Ramirez, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, second place, Earth and Environmental Science.

Science Fair asks students to conceive, research and produce a project centered on a scientific hypothesis. In competition, the students are asked by judges to explain their process and defend the results of their experiments.

LCPS elementary students qualified for the regional event by finishing in the top three at the school fair; middle school qualifiers won their respective categories at school fairs.

“LCPS has a strong commitment to science, technology, engineering and math, the STEM subjects, and as a result our district has showcased student work in science through school fairs and in a normal year the district’s Science Showcase. We look forward to the experience our students will have at the state level this year,” Dr. Amelia McLeod, director of middle school education and LCPS Science Fair coordinator, said.