Passing gas, designing bridges, planting seeds: Intermediate School students test hypotheses at science fair

WORTHINGTON — The word “science” may conjure up an image of a gray-haired man in a white lab coat, but the young scientists who gathered Wednesday in the Intermediate School gym defied those stereotypes to compete in the science fair.

Ten third-graders, 12 fourth-graders and 14 fifth-graders brought their best work to the fair, the first of its kind since the COVID-19 pandemic halted the long-standing tradition — at least, temporarily.

“It’s a good opportunity for all the kids,” said Olivia Weidert, who teaches fifth grade and coordinated the contest along with fourth grade teacher Stephanie Fletcher. “It’s a good opportunity for kids to show us their creativity — it’s all in their hands.”

Students could compete alone or with a partner, but all participation was completely voluntary, rather than being required as part of a class or club.

Kari Lucin / The Globe

The 16 judges who determined the winners were also volunteers, including many teachers, former staff members and paraprofessionals from District 518. Each project was examined by three judges and given scores for creativity, completion of the project, presentation and following the scientific method. As part of the process, students also had to present their projects to the judges, answering any questions they had.

“I just hope that they learn to love science, and learn some skills to present to judges,” Weidert said.

“Science” is a wide umbrella term, encompassing a variety of topics and specializations, and as such, the young scholars could choose any of four categories for their projects: physical science, family and consumer science, earth and environmental science and computer science. That led to a broad array of projects focusing on many questions using a scientific approach, from what nail polish lasts the longest to whether seeds emerge quicker if planted a certain way, to what beverages are most acidic and how a pinhole camera works. One presentation even asked, very seriously, “What happens when you pass gas?” and offered a detailed scientific explanation.

Some students created models of the solar system, bridges, wind turbines and even a robotic arm; others brought tubs of plants or working water filters.

“We made it out of balloons,” said Nafitahi Jimma, whose project showed the planets, each unique and distinct. He and his project partner, Mohamed Abdu, both of whom are in fourth grade, agreed that Saturn was their favorite because of its rings.

“It’s truly a delight,” said Patrick Mahoney, who teaches social studies at Worthington High School and volunteered as a judge on Wednesday. “They’ve really inspired me to follow my own passion. They’re so proud of what they’ve done, and they should be.”

Kari Lucin / The Globe

Some projects had beautiful presentations, and others showed how messy science can get, either literally or figuratively, as hypotheses didn’t always line up with final conclusions — leading to new questions and new possibilities to explore, just as the process works for professional scientists in the real world.

“The kids have loved it,” Fletcher said, thanking the volunteers and staff who made the event possible.

“I tested to see how well disinfectant worked,” said Annika Hietbrink, a fifth-grader, who said she’d recommend participating in the science fair to other students.

“I would tell them to do whatever they wanted with science, and look up stuff,” she added. “Write what you know is true.”

Students who earned top honors at the fair will have the opportunity to go to the regional science fair in Mankato in April.

Kari Lucin / The Globe

• Third grade overall winners: Isabella Canales, first place; Nelson Tarus and Miles Hein, second place; and Clara Hietbrink, third place.
• Fourth grade overall winners: Grace Larson and Greta Mahlberg, first place; Marcela Rodriguez, second place; and Aengus McLaughlin and Phoenix Like, third place.
• Fifth grade overall winners: Annika Kinser and Tyler Bents, and Dyson Neugebauer, tied for first place; Ryker Fricke, second place; and Annika Hietbrink, third place.
• Physical Science winners: Annika Kinser, first place; Ryker Fricke, second place; and Grace Larson and Greta Mahlberg, third place.
• Family and Consumer Science winners: Isabella Canales, first place; Nelson Tarus and Miles Hein, second place; and Annika Hietbrink and Clara Hietbrink, tied for third place.
• Earth and Environmental Science winners: Tyler Bents and Dyson Neugebauer, first place; Marcela Rodriguez, second place; and Angelo Fraga, third place.
• Computer Science winners: Jeyson Lopez Morales, first place; and Sawyer Reese, second place.

• Third Graders: Nelson Tarus and Miles Hein, Hiree Uli, Hafsa Abdu and Arsema Okubay, Andrew Carlson, Jeyson Lopez Morales, Isabella Canales, Sawyer Reese, and Clara Hietbrink.
• Fourth Graders: Yazury Villagrana De La Cruz, Nahili Butuje and Elizabeth Gomez Monterroso, Angelo Fraga, Grace Larson and Greta Mahlberg, Aengus McLaughlin and Phoenix Like, Michelle Diaz and Alison Arias Orellana, Marcela Rodriguez, and Mohamed Abdu and Nafitahi Jimma.
• Fifth Graders: Daniela Yaritza Menjivar, Brianette Fraga Salinas, Lily Gaudian, Annika Kinser, Alex Gomez, Annika Hietbrink, Ajdin Gossom, Ashlee Dykstra, Angel Reyes and Cynthia Ramos James, Tyler Bents and Dyson Neugebauer, Ryker Fricke, and Kobe Blanchette.
• Judges: Lisa Madison, Austin Smith, Kelli Stenzel, Patrick Mahoney, Chelsea Wintz, Dan Harrington, Wendy Donkersloot, Laurie Knudson, Heidi Bursch, Paul Olsen, Hope DeNeui, Lonette Colwell, Greta Martin, Josh Langseth, Heather Doerr and Laurie Dahlquist.