E.M. Rollins holds 5th grade science fair

E.M. Rollins Science Fair Entry

Fifth grade students held a science fair yesterday under the guidance of science teacher Clara Foster, a 35-year veteran of Vance County Schools.

The object of the fair’s exhibits was for students to raise a scientific question, form a hypothesis, devise and perform an experiment to test their hypotheses using a five-step scientific process in an attempt to validate their hypotheses.

Questions tested ranged from egg flotation to what flour makes the best cookie to testing theories about water, salt, and boiling points.

Students displayed the results of their experiments and also presented a narrative of their findings.

Foster’s fellow fifth grade teachers Jessica Brown and Melinda Farmer acted as judges for the science fair competition. Exhibits were judged anonymously to guarantee impartiality. Students were assessed on the criteria of neatness, originality, and scientific process, which included purpose, hypothesis, procedure, results, conclusion, and a research paper.

First, second, and third place ribbons were awarded, as well as three ribbons for honorable mentions.

First Place winners Skyler Stewart (left) and Katelyn Johnson (right) with “Cookies and Flour”

Second Place winner Zachary Long with “How Does a Wind Meter Work?”

Third Place winners Emily Hilliard (left) and Sadie Gupton (right) with “Which Color Do Flowers Absorb Best?”

Honorable Mention Tom McKoon and Rachel Riddle (not pictured) for “Which Cleaner’s Cleanest?”

Honorable Mention Dustin Howarth (left) and Brandon Sanford (right) for “What Effect Does Sunlight Have on Plant Growth?”

Honorable Mention Jazmyn Street for “Salt or Sugar: Which Dissolves Faster in Water and Vinegar?”

When asked what inspired her to hold the science fair, Foster responded: “To teach children the scientific process.”

“I think they learned a lot,” Foster stated. “They learned that people can perform the same experiment and get different results, and that’s what scientists do. There are no right and wrong answers to a scientific experiment. The results are what they are.”