For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Avon Middle School Students Take Part in First Annual Science Fair

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that the Avon Middle-High School’s first annual science fair earlier this month was a success.

On Thursday, April 12, over 60 seventh grade students took part in the science fair.

The fair winners and the titles of their projects were:

• First Place – Lydia Meressi – Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
• Second Place – TJ Weatherby – Mass and Speed of Toys and Cars
• Third Place – Chloe Snow – Can Cats Learn Dog Tricks?
• Honorable Mention – Skye Nieves – The Effects of Temperature on Batteries
• Honorable Mention – Cole Sweet – Free Throw Shots: Underhand or Overhand?

Students began their projects in January by selecting topics that interested them. In addition to utilizing scientific and engineering processes, the students also gained skills in project planning, project management, research, record keeping and communication.

During the fair, their projects were on full display inside two classrooms, where friends, parents and the school community could see their work. Students set up tri-fold poster boards explaining their projects and brought supplemental materials for the judges to see.

The projects covered a wide range of topics, including the effect of color on memory, the drag produced on remote control cars on different surfaces and engineering a working solar powered phone charger.

Local scientists and engineers volunteered their time to judge the event. Judges included representatives from Underwriters Laboratory, Brown University, the Avon Public Library and AccuRounds — an Avon-based machine manufacturing company.

“As a department, we are always trying to foster a sense of how important science is to the kids,” said Avon middle school science teacher Patricia McGaffigan.  “Being lucky enough to have our students connect with scientists and engineers to discuss their own work was an incredible learning experience. Every adult that interacted with the students was so encouraging and interested. It was a real confidence builder for many students. I hope they retain that confidence as they think about what their futures hold.”

Each winner was presented with a certificate and a medal while the first-place winner also received a trophy.

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