Presented in partnership with the Bates College Center for Service-Learning, the fair features more than 450 projects created by students in grades 9 through 12.

Projects are eligible for medals and cash awards bestowed for best-of-fair and first-, second- and third-place prizes in each of three grade divisions — 9th, 10th and upper-class. Last year, 30 LHS students were honored for their work on a dozen projects.

Projects run the gamut of scientific disciplines. Last year’s winning entries included studies of dissolved oxygen in springtime meltwater, the relationship between exercise and blood pressure and the variance in freezing rates among different juices.

The fair is made possible in part by a partnership with the Bates Center for Service-Learning. Bates students help organize the fair, and last year’s fair involved more than 60 Bates faculty, staff and students who spent an afternoon judging the projects and talking to participants. The college also supports the fair through a Bates Science Education Outreach Grant funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Projects are eligible for medals and cash awards bestowed for best-of-fair and first- through third-place prizes in each of three grade divisions — 9th, 10th and upper-class.

In their projects, the students investigate topics ranging from the effects of music on the heart rate to the chemicals present in tap water. Last year’s winners included students studying the relationship between caffeine and blood pressure, the aerodynamics of different fabrics and the strength of different kinds of glue.

“Science-fair projects give kids their first experience in real science,” says Mike Hutchins, head of the high school science department. The fair also addresses key indicators in the State of Maine Learning Results.
 The fair “is a wonderful opportunity for Bates to enhance the high school science curriculum and for the college’s students to learn more about the community,” says Sue Martin, assistant director of the Bates Center for Service-Learning.

Last year more than 60 Bates faculty, staff and students spent an afternoon judging projects in the science fair. The college also supports the fair through a Bates Science Education Outreach Grant funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Cash prizes were designated for best-of-fair and for first, second and third place in three grade-level categories. Prize money was provided in part by Bates College through a Bates Science Education Outreach Grant funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Other awards will go to students who did not place in the top 10 but demonstrated significant effort and knowledge in their projects and presentations.

Best-of-fair went to Tarrah Bowen, a 10th grader whose project examined the effects of caffeinated soda on blood pressure. She competed with more than 400 other projects for best-of-fair.

Elisha Armour and Sara Choate received first prize in the upperclass division (11th and 12th grade) for a project that determined which location in the high school harbored the most bacteria. First prize in the 10th grade division went to Renee Castonguay for a project examining the impact of music on thought processes. Nathaniel Jilette received first prize in the 9th grade division for his study of erosion.

In the upperclass division, second prize went to Tiffany Boisvert and Elise Jack for a project on diabetes. Second prize in 10th grade went to Ashley Nadeau and Amanda Toussaint, who looked at chlorine content in drinking water, and in 9th grade the prize was awarded to Roxanne Healey and Amanda Sasseville for their comparison of the strengths of various glues.

Third prize in the upperclass category went to Kari Gronin for the project on stress in medical professions. In the 10th grade, this prize was awarded to Alexis Handy and Katie Lauze for their comparison of the drying rates of nail polishes. In the 9th grade, Matt Parker and Tony Travaglini received third prize for their investigation of the aerodynamic efficiency of different fabrics.

The five auxiliary awards went to:

Kyle Dupuis, 9th grade, for studying computer processor efficiency;

Deneiges Labbe and Kat Ustach, 11th grade, for studying artificial cartilage;

Matt Chateauvert and Audrey Ellis, 12th grade, for a project on the healing of bones;

Kerri Smith, 12th grade, for investigating bipolar disorder;

and Travis Lowe, 12th grade, for his project on human evolution.

The starting time for the “Night of Excellence” will be announced later.

The projects are eligible for medals and cash awards bestowed for best-of-fair and first-place through third-place prizes in each of three grade divisions — 9th, 10th and upper-class.

Project topics in past fairs have ranged from psychology to botany to meteorology. Last year’s winners included students studying the flame retardance of common household materials, the nature of dreams, the relationship between temperature and wind speed, and the effects of nutrition on blood.

“Science-fair projects give kids their first experience in real science,” says Mike Hutchins, head of the high school science department. The fair also addresses key indicators in the State of Maine Learning Results.

New this year are the upper-class grade division, the sponsorship of prizes by businesses and organizations, and the opening of the fair to elementary school students. Elementary school classes will visit the high school to view the projects during the fair.

The Lewiston High School Science Fair is made possible in part by a partnership with the Bates Center for Service-Learning. The fair “is a wonderful opportunity for Bates to share its resources and for its students to learn more about the community,” says Sue Martin, assistant director of the center.

Last year’s fair involved more than 60 Bates faculty, staff and students who spent an afternoon judging the projects. The college also supports the fair through a Bates Science Education Outreach Grant funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.