The Garrison School recognized winners of its 2014 Science Fair at an assembly March 21. Held during the week of March 10, the Science Fair showcased an impressive display of student-developed scientific theories and projects. Budding scientists presented projects such as building a Homemade Compass (kindergarten), Marshmallow Peep Consumption in Philipstown (third grade), Air Quality (sixth grade) and Influences of Music on Blood Pressure (eighth grade), and yes, baking-soda volcanoes.
Winners were selected from two age groups to represent the school at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair on April 26 at White Plains High School.
First place winners in grades K through fourth were Grace Vogel, biology; Tomas Struck, technology; Fionnoula O’Reilly, math; Grace Gordon, Evelyn Higbee and Zachary Smith, physics; Olivia Flanagan, Maya Gelber, Mac Lake and Phelan Waldron, chemistry; and Liam Flanagan, Leo Horton, Charles Rowe and Sofia Wallis, engineering.
First place winners in grades fifth though eighth were Alexa Gagnon, biology; Rose Lindberg, chemistry; Jill Cox, engineering; Yunus Solakoglu, environmental; and Eddie-Joe Barry, physics.
Garrison School Principal Stephanie Impellittiere congratulated all participants and challenged students present at the ceremony to consider that in the course of their lifetime, one or more of them could be the next brilliant scientist of the future.
Impellittiere thanked mentors and judges including Seamus Carroll, Radley Horton, Linda LaMonaco, Chip Marks, Ed McGowan, Pete Salmansohn, Gabrielle Sanchez, Mahmoud Shahbodaghi, Rebecca Shultz, Marianne Sullivan, Megan VanEvera and Joe Waldron.
The Garrison School also thanked Science Fair co-chairs, middle school science teacher Kevin Keegan and parents Karen Cox and Jeanette Mayer, and parent volunteers including Spiros Angelopoulos, Na’ama Barta, Moira Cervone, Phyllis Clements, Kathy Hamel, Lorrena Kirkwood, Linda LaMonaco, Audrey Mangan, Donna Pidala, Claudine Struck and Sarah Wallis.
“Starting with MAD Science Week in January and our popular Middle School Science Myth Busters series, students are guided through the basics of the scientific method, participate in several experiments and finally are encouraged to develop their own scientific theories,” Impellittiere said. “The Science Fair is the culmination of months of hard work and preparation by our students, with support from our teachers and community volunteers. We wish all of our winners luck as they represent the Garrison School at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair later this month and we truly appreciate all of the time and commitment given to make this event a huge success.”
