Science fair inspires creativity, observation

Sumner School District science fair encourages students to observe

Roxanne Cooke

Ever wonder which gender has more sensitive taste buds?

Third-grader Laurel Morgan did.

She chose to put together her science fair project based on the topic. Morgan conducted a taste test of the popular Jelly Belly candy, which comes in such flavors as “Buttered Popcorn” and “Dr. Pepper.”

Though she hypothesized that girls had more sensitive taste receptors, the boys took the lead, guessing 21 flavors correctly over girls’ 12 correct guesses.

“I thought that girls would be better,” Morgan said.

Morgan’s hypothesis, research and results are all part of the scientific process — an important aspect in judging students’ projects, said district science teacher Don Pruett, who helped put together the event. The science fair was hosted Saturday at Mountain View Middle School in Bonney Lake.

“We’re looking at the scientific process,” he said.

Judges look for novel and interesting ideas, as well as children who can communicate science well, Pruett added. But the point of the event isn’t to win — it’s to encourage students to question the world around them and become more observant.

Other projects at the fair included “Slippery Sleds,” an investigation into what household product — car wax, non-stick cooking spray or furniture polish — would make a sled slide through the snow fastest. “What Blocks Radio Waves?” looked into what materials, such as foil, would affect the speed of a radio-controlled race car.

Sumner High School alumna and science fair judge Brittany Carlson said this year’s entries were very creative.

“I’m always impressed” with students’ projects, she said.

Carlson, who is a senior majoring in biology at Seattle Pacific University, entered several science fairs and made it to the international competition when she attended Sumner High, she said. The experience helped her stand out on college applications, earn more scholarships and gain a general preparedness for college-level science classes.

“It gave me a lot of material for college,” Carlson said.

The Sumner native shared her experience in an afternoon presentation, focusing on the opportunities that science skills can offer to students.

Other college students like Carlson were judges at the science fair, as well as teachers, community members, FFA members and high school students with an interest in science.

There were 234 participants with projects this year, an increase from last year’s 216.