×

Belmont College holds science fair

Photo Provided Chosen as the top District 16 Scienc Fair project was that of Paul Stecker Jr., an eighth-grader at St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry. His project titled “Predicting Rocket Performance” received the Belmont College President’s Award. Pictured, from left, are Chris Clantz, professor of natural science and science fair coordinator; college President Paul F. Gasparro; Paul Stecker Jr. and his father Paul Stecker Sr.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — For more than 26 years, students from local schools have displayed hundreds of science projects at Belmont College; however for the 2022 event, the Ohio District 16 Science Fair was virtual.

Consistent with the past two years, students uploaded their various research documentation and provided a short video in the STEM Wizard platform. A pair of local, virtual judges were then assigned to each project for judging.

Students were asked to upload resources for judging that included:

An enhanced report that would include their abstract, research plan, collected data, discussion of the results, and conclusions.

Answers to a series of specific questions taken from the virtual judging rubric.

A short YouTube video of their presentation.

As in the traditional fair format, each project was judged by two individuals and the scores were then averaged. Judging took place from March 19-24. Results were released March 26.

In total, 18 students from local schools competed in the 2022 District Science Fair.

Students from the following schools participated: Bishop John King Mussio Central Jr. High; East Richland Christian; and St. Mary Central Martins Ferry.

The District Science Fair is for students who have participated in and achieved superior scores in their school fairs or have been selected by their teachers as having exceptional projects. These projects are judged again by more rigorous standards, and the top projects among all displayed are recognized and rewarded with superior ratings and special awards sponsored by a variety of donors. The very top students are then selected to represent District 16 at the state-level competition during virtual project judging held from May 3-12 with results released on June 1.

The following students received superiors in district competition this year, and as such are eligible to represent District 16 at the state level of competition:

East Richland Christian: Charles Gooch, Brayden Miner and Berea Miller.

St. Mary Central Martins Ferry: John Adamsky, Keyuri Morgan, Graham Stecker and Paul Stecker Jr.

Chosen as the top project was that of Paul Stecker Jr., an eighth-grader from St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry. His project titled “Predicting Rocket Performance” received the Belmont College President’s Award as well as the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship.

Additionally, John Adamsky, a sixth grade student from St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry won the runner-up Excellence in Science Award for his project.

The following students received awards and recognition:

Graham Stecker, sixth grade student from St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry was awarded:

∫ Phillip Skinner Memorial Award

∫ 6th Grade Belmont College Award for Excellence

∫ Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship alternate

Keyuri Morgan, eighth grade student from St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry was awarded:

Ohio Water Environment Association (SE) Award

∫ The Society for Analytic Chemists of Pittsburgh Award

∫ Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship alternate

∫ B WISER Camp Scholarship

Brayden Miner, sixth grade student from East Richland Christian School was awarded:

Phillip Skinner Memorial Award

Charles Gooch, fifth grade student from East Richland Christian School was awarded:

∫ Marshall J. Piccin Memorial Award (Physics)

Berea Miller, fifth grade student from East Richland Christian School was awarded:

∫ Marshall J. Piccin Memorial Award (Physics)

Aidan Giffin, seventh grade student from St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry was awarded:

∫ Belmont College Microbiology Award

Monica Bolster, seventh grade student from Bishop John King Mussio Central JS-Steubenville was awarded:

∫ Belmont College Physical Science Award

∫ B WISER Camp Scholarship

Sarah Kuhn, sixth grade student from Bishop John King Mussio Central JS-Steubenville was awarded:

∫ 6th Grade Belmont College Award for Excellence

Silvia Molinar, fifth grade student from East Richland Christian School was awarded:

∫ 5th Grade Belmont College Award for Excellence

Oliva Stephens, seventh grade student from St. Mary Central-Martins Ferry was awarded:

∫ Linda and David Dunlap Project Continuation Award

∫ B WISER Camp Scholarship

Maria Kissinger, seventh grade student from Bishop John King Mussio Central JS-Steubenville was awarded:

∫ Belmont College Behavioral and Social Science Award

∫ B WISER Camp Scholarship

Delia Wetherell, sixth grade student from Bishop John King Mussio Central JS-Steubenville was awarded:

∫ 6th Grade Belmont College Award for Excellence

Special thanks to the District 16 Science Fair sponsors for remaining steadfast in their support as the fair has had to adapt to the special circumstances of the pandemic over the past two years:

∫ Belmont College and Paul Gasparro, president

∫ Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh

∫ Margaret M. Piccin (M.J Piccin Memorial Award)

∫ Linda and David Dunlap (Phillip Skinner Memorial Award and Continuing Project Award)

∫ American Electric Power

∫ Southeast Ohio Water Environment Association

∫ Ohio Soybean Council Foundation

∫ District 16 Science Fair Council

∫ Virtual judges: Dr. Suzanne Clutter, Emma Conners, Ben Fulton, Rita Fulton, Dr. Christopher Gooch, Philip Handte, Sarah Lendon, Ed Mower, Matt Mower, Jane Powell, Paul Stecker and Kari Yockey.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today