Somersfield Academy students show science skills

Star scientists: Judged the best in their respective year groups by local scientists, Chris Doherty (MYP 1), John Russell (MYP 3), Giles Lorimer Turner (MYP 2) of Somersfield Academy, pose with their badges of honour following the recent science fair at the Devonshire school.

March 05, 2009 — Students' work was put under the microscope at the Somersfield Academy Science Fair on February 20.

The school's gymnasium was converted to an exhibition hall where scores of student scientific investigations were on display. One hundred students aged 11 to 14 years presented visual displays of their scientific investigations and were on hand to explain and answer questions.

Investigations ranged from the impact of coloured water and electromagnetic fields on plant growth to the efficiency of alternative energy sources, including biodiesel, wind turbines and solar panels.

Head of Middle Year Programme Science, Sharlene Young, described the day as "My favourite day of the year because it's all good science. The students spend four months on their investigations and it all comes down to this day. The kids are so proud of themselves."

Judging the students' displays in the areas of scientific method, knowledge and aesthetics, were 24 judges from the local scientific community including Belco, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science, the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. Prizes were awarded in each year group for first to sixth place.

Mr. J.P. Skinner of BIOS, who has been a judge for several years, noted, "It's always amazing the level of science achieved, and what the students are able to accomplish. Often in science fairs, there are lots of beautiful displays, but not much science. Here they show their understanding of scientific concepts."

Abayomi Carmichael, an engineer with Belco, remarked on the "high calibre" of work. "The children have put on their thinking caps," he elaborated. "They've come up with some creative ideas. And even when the investigation didn't work out as expected or intended, they showed understanding of the process and have come up with ideas on how to improve the investigation."

The winning projects at each year level were as follows:

MYP 1
1st: Chris Doherty – Can Coke and Candy Give You Gas?
2nd: Michael Betteto – Hot Wheels
3rd: Ben Broughton – Household Hydrogen

MYP 2
1st: Giles Lorimer Turner – Ant Invaders
2nd: Megan Nagel – Hot Stuff
3rd: Daniel Nash – Swinging Time

MYP 3
1st: John Russell – Biodiesel - A Viable Green Alternative?
2nd: James Lorimer-Turner – Got Wind?
3rd: Karl Kane-Collery – Wacky Wake

Originally published in The Royal Gazette