Top young problem-solvers honored at science fair
The Flathead County Science Fair has brought together young scientists for more than 16 years.
This year, there were entries from 111 students representing 15 schools and home schools.
Students worked hard to write research papers, test experiments and create display boards to enter the fair Feb. 23 at Deer Park School and March 2 at West Valley School.
Teams of guest judges from the community and Glacier High School Advanced Placement students scored exhibits and evaluated students’ interview skills and grasp of the scientific method.
Marycaye Dover, Flathead County Science Fair Board chairwoman, said the science fair is a place for students to excel and explore science, technology, engineering and math.
“Science is a living and active process all around us,” Dover said.
Dover said students, in conducting experiments and research, use critical thinking skills in a hands-on way.
“They begin to think like a scientist and understand the process of variables and analyzing empirical data,” Dover said.
Dover said one of the innovative displays was a project by West Valley sixth-grader Hunter Nicholson, who received The Glacier Institute award for best environmental science experiment.
His experiment, “Burn Baby Burn,” involved testing biofuels and fossil fuels. He tested to see if biofuels could be an adequate replacement for fossil fuels to minimize pollution.
“Science is problem-solving and innovation at its peak,” Dover said.
The state science fair will be held at the University of Montana March 20 through 22.
Following are results from the science fair.
Third grade
Demonstration
Grand champion: Emmet Aschin, Bigfork
Reserve champion: Dillion Young, Glacier Gateway
Biological
Grand: Abby Weber, Jauplin Young, Lakia Hill, Emerald Templin, Deer Park
Fourth grade
Demonstration
Grand: Joe Lamb, Glacier Gateway
Reserve: Flora Jam, Glacier Gateway
Biological
Grand: Maddie Mueller, Bigfork
Reserve: Tyler Langton, Glacier Gateway
Physical group one
Grand: Carly Stodghill, Bigfork
Reserve: Eric Bott, Deer Park
Physical group two
Grand: Harry Oberling, West Valley
Reserve: Carson Voeller, Whitefish Christian
Physical group three
Grand: Sarabeth Roggers, Lakeside
Reserve: Allison Miller, Whitefish Christian
Fifth grade
Demonstration
Grand: Mac Jarvis, Glacier Gateway
Kyla Johnston, Glacier Gateway
Physical group one
Grand: Cole Hider, Bigfork
Reserve: Ian McKenzie, Glacier Gateway
Physical group two
Grand: Auguste Emond, Deer Park
Grand: Dylan Leese, West Valley
Reserve: Ramey Metegaer, Stillwater Christian
Physical group three
Grand: Kaden Matthews, Deer Park
Reserve: Dalton Fisher, Whitefish Christian
Biological group one
Grand: Kelly Ryan, Whitefish Christian
Grand: Cassidy Norick, Deer Park
Biological group two
Grand: Courtnee Amello, Glacier Gateway
Reserve: Bethany Lyford, West Valley
Sixth grade
Physical group one
Grand: Henery Bjorge, Bigfork
Reserve: Brandon Jordan, West Valley
Physical group two
Grand: Trey Mitchell, West Valley
Grand: Kasey Sands, West Valley
Reserve and The Glacier Institute award for best environmental science experiment — Hunter Nicholson, West Valley
Physical group three
Grand: Lane Wilson, West Valley
Reserve: Tanner Brown, West Valley
Biological group one
Grand: Collin Kazmier, West Valley
Reserve: Caley Halloran, Somers Middle
Biological group two
Grand: Christo Oberling, West Valley
Reserve: Cadie Williams, West Valley
Seventh grade
Physical group one
Grand: Colin Norick, Deer Park
Reserve: Alec Willis, West Valley
Physical group two
Grand: Caleb LeClercq, Fair-Mont-Egan
Reserve: Alek Jochim, St. Matthew’s
Biological group one
Grand: Josh Anderson, Deer Park
Reserve: Kendall Warner, West Valley
Biological group two
Grand: Savanna Cheff, St. Matthew’s
Reserve: Abi Fiske, West Valley
Eighth Grade
Physical group one
Grand: Daniel Fetveit, Stillwater Christian
Reserve: Alex Drew, St. Matthew’s
Physical group two
Grand: Luke Barron, home school
Reserve: Dane La Vigne, Stillwater Christian
Reserve: Bo Mackay, Stillwater Christian
Biological group one
Grand: Madison Rouse, Whitefish Christian
Reserve: Sheyan Collom, Stillwater Christian
Biological group two
Grand: William Thompson, Somers
Reserve: Robert McCarvel, St. Matthew’s
Ninth grade
Physical
Grand: Colter Norick, Columbia Falls