Diocesan Science Fair honors students, a teacher, a schoo

Intermountain Catholic

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The overall winners receive trophies in the Diocesan Science Fair in various science categories in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. These winners also include the Scientist of the Year Award, the Astronomer of the Year Award, the Science Teacher of the Year Award, and the School of the Year Award. IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — There were 185 students who entered the 12th Annual Diocesan Science Fair held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School March 1.

"It is amazing to see the ideas that come from young people’s minds," said Chuck Dover, Knight of Columbus state deputy.

"There was 100 percent participation from the middle schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City," said Dover. "It took us 11 years to get every school to participate.

Lindy Hughes, an eighth grade student from J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School was awarded the Young Scientist of the Year Award and a $200 savings bond. She achieved this by winning the Overall Earth Science Award, the Overall Eighth-Grade Award, and first place in Earth Science. Her project was "WAAS that Accurate?"

Anne Bailey, an eighth-grader from Blessed Sacrament School won the Astronomer of the Year Award. Her project was "Is Salt Lake City Polluted by Light?" In addition, she was awarded a telescope for her school, sponsored by Knight of Columbus Thomas Sevcik.

The Science Teacher of the Year Award was given to Vicky Simpson from St. Francis Xavier Regional School. She was also given $100 because teachers spend so much out-of-pocket money without even thinking about it, said Dover.

"The students did all the work, they just made me look good," said Simpson.

Dover said the Teacher of the Year Award was given in honor of Kim Beger and her father, Ed Schulfer, who were both instrumental in starting the science fair and are credited as its co-founders. Schulfer was a past state deputy of the Knights of Columbus. The Scientist of the Year award is also given in Schulfer’s honor.

The School of the Year was awarded to St. Francis Xavier Regional School and Nancy Essary, principal along with $200 for the science department and a microscope. Their microscope, also sponsored by Sevcik, can download information on to a computer.

Dover said each award is given in recognition of, or in memory of an individual and by one of the Knights of Columbus councils. In addition to receiving a trophy, each student received a savings bond.

"The students are judged each year in the categories of behavioral science, physical science, biological science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, as well as the best use of mathematics, the best working model, the best oral presentation, and unique visual display," said Dover. "We also look at the overall winners from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes, which includes honorable mentions in each of the categories."