More than 65 students participate in Calvary Christian Academy science fair

Award-winning projects measure wind, find bacteria and taste test ketchup Warwick - More than 65 students participated in the annual science fair, held late last month, at Calvary Christian Academy in Warwick. The projects varied greatly with topics ranging from a study to see which household items had the most bacteria on them to a taste test of what was everyone’s favorite ketchup. The student studying bacteria found that his dad’s keyboard had the most bacteria while the other student said with a smile that “Heinz was still number one, but that the generic brands were “catching up.” Two students also built a rheostat (a dimmer) and anemometer that measured the wind’s velocity. All four students won blue ribbons and two came to some other interesting conclusions. “Not everyone loves doing the project but they understand why we do it,” said Principal Melissa Penne. “We want our children to learn and compete in a world where science and technology will be key to success. All of our children learn at an early age what the scientific method is and how to develop a project that requires creativity, observation and research.” Each student starts out with a hypothesis and a project that needs approval as well as a strong ongoing effort that often takes weeks to complete. When done, each student presents his or her study before two judges. After getting an evaluation from them and an award ribbon, the students then demonstrate their project in front of other students as well as the parents and families. “It’s a great learning process that builds character because all students have to present their work and defend it to adult judges and the public,” Penne said. “Not all their hypotheses always work out the way students think they will, but that’s science - you never know what you will find!”