Western Carolina University

This article features an event that occurred in the past.

Students from area school systems recently took top honors at Western Carolina University’s regional Science Fair and Festival and earned the right to advance to the North Carolina State Science Fair in Raleigh on Saturday, March 24.

Young scientists from 34 Western North Carolina schools gathered Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 21 and 22, at WCU’s Ramsey Center for two days of extracurricular science activity designed to motivate the students to pursue further studies in the sciences, mathematics and technology. Students in the elementary division, grades three through five, exhibited their projects in the Science Fair on Feb. 21, while older students competed in the Science Festival on Feb. 22.

Award-winning students are listed, along with the names of their schools and projects. Eight overall winners were selected from the elementary division to advance to the state fair, and first- and second-place winners from the junior high and high school divisions will continue on to state competition.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION (Grades 3-5)

First, Patrick Frady, Pisgah Forest Elementary, “Do Grownups Have Good Taste;” second, Dakota Fritz, Soterian Academy, “Can’t Touch This;” third, Madeleine Hatch, Mountain Community School, “Fabulous Fashion Science: The Effect of Color on Absorption and Reflection of Light;” fourth, Katie Grant, Cullowhee Valley School, “Which AA Alkaline Battery Truly Lasts the Longest: Duracell, Energizer or Rayovac;” fifth, Paige Wallace, Asheville Preparatory School, “Growing Salt Crystals Using Different Temperatures;” sixth, David Johnson, Cherokee Elementary School, “How Does Smoking Affect Plants and Humans;” seventh, Gracie Hornsby, Trimont Christian Academy, “Cats, Dogs or Brothers;” eighth, Silas Crews, Mountain Community School, “The Greenhouse Effect.”

JUNIOR DIVISION (Grades 6-8)

Physical Science: First, Ben Sofie, Immaculata Catholic School, “Magnetotherapy: What’s the Attraction;” second, Trey Bartel and Zach Bartel, Fairview Elementary School (Jackson County), “Magnetic Influence on Ferrofluid.”

Biological Science: First, Brittney Henry and Kelci White, Murphy Middle School, “Is Clean Clean;” second, Avery Price, Glenwood Elementary, (project name not available.)

Technology: First, Jeffrey Ruhe and Carlos Unda, Mountain Community School, “Kerley’s Mission: Water Rocket Propulsion;” second, Wesley Clements, Francine Delany New School for Children, “Future Fuel.”

Earth Science: First-place tie, Phoebe Jollay, Francine Delany New School for Children, “Lead and Soil,” and Joshua Tate, Trimont Christian Academy, “Shifting Sands;” second, Dylan Powell, Waynesville Middle School, “Mud Flow Madness.”

SENIOR DIVISION (Grades 9-12)

Physical Science: First, Rachel Sharpton, Tuscola High School, “Another One Burns the Dust;” second, Charles Zogzas, Hendersonville High School, “Crackin’ Down on Crystals.”

Biological Science: First, Chelsea Renee Usher, Hendersonville High School, “The Effects of Soil pH on Plant Growth;” second, Kelly Kreitzburg, Tuscola High School, “Hairy Solutions to Fishy Problems.”

Technology: First, Taylor Courier, Hendersonville High School, “Enlightened Sound II: Transforming Sound into Light, a Second-Year Study;” second, Jason Munger, Hendersonville High School, “Blustery Bridges.”

Earth Science: First, Sarah Layne, Hendersonville High School, “Maximizing Solar Energy;” second, Samantha Knights and Melanie Miller, Brevard High School, “Weather Versus Sun Activity.”