Northampton Area Middle School’s third annual science fair was held March 24 in the school cafeteria. There were 10 total winners this year.

Representing sixth grade was Logan Reppert with his project titled “Tadpole Growth,” Abigail Enstrom and Courtney Renson with “Homopolar Motors” and Rachel Kemmerer and Anna Herbert with “Mealworm Meals.” Seventh-graders Samreen-Joy Minhas and Annabel Marie Pyne analyzed whether or not movies are the same without the music, and Ashlee Kitzhoffer examined the effects different water sources had on plant growth. Eighth-grader Madi Berger explored magnetic acceleration, and Caroline Gray educated the judges with her project titled “The ‘flu’ is here.”

Scott Oste, sixth-grade teacher and science department leader, had nothing but compliments to extend to the students who worked so hard to get to that point.

“We were really impressed with the level of projects this year,” he said.

Oste expressed the importance of cultivating public speaking and self-efficacy skills. He stressed while they will celebrate the winners, the purpose of the event was to focus on collaboration as opposed to just winning.

“The process these students went through to get here is the most important part,” Oste said.

The department leader was delighted to mention how quickly the event is growing. According to Oste, there were only 27 students and 13 total projects for their first year. It grew to 56 participants last year. There were approximately 70 student participants in the science fair this year.

It was a special day for student Nico Gonzalez, who chose to celebrate his birthday at the science fair. He spent the day demonstrating his homemade claw machine.

As an additional treat, Oste asked students Sophia Davidick, Jordyn Kula and Brianna Gora to take a video camera around to interview the participants and capture the excitement of the afternoon.

Each participant received a participation ribbon, wristband and chance to go on a field trip to cement company Buzzi Unicem. The overall winners will get to take a trip to Dorney Park for a science day.

While the judges were looking over the projects, students and their parents were able to take part in different STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) activities. In one area, they had to build the largest free-standing note card tower. In the other, groups had to build a successful animal launcher using only a paper cup, two rubber bands, tape and a plastic spoon. One of the winning groups included Ella Steirer, Hannah Makovsky, Alyssa Russell and Kaitlyn Renson, who launched their rubber animal 48 feet.

At the conclusion of the fair, Oste thanked all who made the event possible, especially the science fair committee. The committee consisted of Oste, Kristen Sevinsky, Chad Friend and Zachary Winter. He then thanked the teacher volunteers, the Caring Café, school administration, school board and the judges. Oste wanted to emphasize and celebrate the rich history in cement that the area holds. Many of the judges work for local cement companies. He shared a special thanks to the behind-the-scenes people, such as maintenance, technology and security personnel who made the day run smoothly.

Northampton Area School District Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik took a moment after the judging to express his delight with the event.

“I’m just very proud of all the students,” he said. “I’m looking forward to more of these events.”