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Home :: Newsroom :: EGUSD in the Spotlight
EGUSD in the Spotlight
Young science scholars and inventors shine at EGUSD Science and Invention Fair
Did you know that colored light can affect plant growth? Ever wonder which baseball bat is better – wood or metal? Do you know what causes tooth decay?
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A sign welcomed visitors to the Science and Invention Fair.
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Over 160 entries found answers to these questions and more at the 2009 Elk Grove Unified School District Science and Invention Fair, held from March 31-April 2.
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An honorable mention winner proudly stands next to her science fair project.
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This year, 30 elementary schools, as well as several middle and high schools submitted entries to participate in the district science and invention fair. Entries were judged on April 1 and displayed in the multipurpose room at Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School from April 1-2.
“Each year, schools are asked to conduct their own site science fairs to determine one representative from each grade level to represent their school,” said Anne Zeman, Ed.D., director of curriculum and professional learning for the district. “The entries in the district science and invention fair include many of the bright young science scholars of tomorrow.”
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A first place project from T.R. Smedberg Middle School.
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The 160 entries in the district science fair represent the best grade level project at each school science fair.
“The students who participate at the district level are a very small fraction of the number of students district-wide who design and carry out science fair projects each year,” said Zeman. “At many of our elementary schools, all fourth, fifth and sixth grade students create science fair projects to complement their classroom study of science. At the middle and high school level, students who demonstrate a keen interest in science are often encouraged by their teachers to participate. Involvement in the science fair is an annual tradition involving many thousands of students in our district each year.”
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An automated pet feeder won second place in the 6th grade category.
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In recent years, the science fair has been combined with an invention contest. However, plans are in the works to separate the two contests.
“Although the fair has been called the Science and Invention Fair, plans are underway to explore a separate Innovation Fair in 2010,” said Zeman. “Ray Pietersen, science program specialist for the district, will work with teacher groups, our STEM committee and other interested groups to explore this option.”
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The first and second place winners in the high school category from Elk Grove High School.
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Entries were evaluated in 11 different categories: display/title, problem or question, research, hypothesis, materials, procedure, record keeping, analysis of data/results, conclusion, bibliography/acknowledgements and “other” (creativity, extraordinary effort, special skills, innovation). This year’s competition was judged by eight judges representing a variety of backgrounds: Amy Hopperstad (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Karen Buhr (Project Manager – California Association of Resource Conservation Districts), Ellen Carlson (Elk Grove Water District), Tammy Null (Program Specialist – Curriculum/Professional Learning – EGUSD), Doris Loughner (former EGUSD educator), Steve Howe (Teacher – Mary Tsukamoto Elementary School), Paula Lassanske (Teacher – Valley High School), and Dawn Vollmar (Teacher – Foulks Ranch Elementary School).
First place winners will be notified by the Department of Curriculum and Professional Learning of their achievement. They will be recognized at the April 14, 2009 EGUSD Board of Education meeting.
The following students won awards in the 2009 EGUSD Science Fair:
Kindergarten
1st Place – “Popcorn: Quality vs. Price,” John Ehrhardt Elementary School
2nd Place – “What Cleans Hands Best?” James A. McKee Elementary School
3rd Place – “Toothpaste Protects Your Teeth?” Cosumnes River Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Fatty or Not So Fatty?” C.W. Dillard Elementary School
1st Grade
1st Place – “Garden Party,” Florence Markofer Elementary School
2nd Place – “Speedy Water,” Arnold Adreani Elementary School
3rd Place – “Magnets,” Ellen Feickert Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Battery Challenge,” Helen Carr Castello Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Water Filters,” James A. McKee Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Boing! Boing! Boing!” Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary School
2nd Grade
1st Place – “The Best Color for Heat Absorption,” Raymond Case Elementary School
2nd Place – “Feed Your Brain,” Edna Batey Elementary School
3rd Place – “Wheat vs. White,” Joseph Sims Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “I Scream for Ice Cream,” Isabelle Jackson Elementary School
3rd Grade
1st Place – “An Egg to Dye For,” Arthur C. Butler Elementary School
2nd Place – “The Research Project,” C.W. Dillard Elementary School
3rd Place – “Watch Your Mouth,” Cosumnes River Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Ball Bounce,” Irene B. West Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Which is better for plants – microwave water or tap water?” Roy Herburger Elementary School
4th Grade
1st Place – “Acid Rain and Aquatic Plants,” Arnold Adreani Elementary School
2nd Place – “Polluting Plants,” Elitha Donner Elementary School
3rd Place – “Which music raises the blood pressure and pulse – rock music or classical?” Helen Carr Castello Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Evaporation
Information,” Florence Markofer Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Baseball Bats – Wood vs. Metal,” Franklin Elementary School
5th Grade
1st Place – “How Does Algae Grow Best?” Edna Batey Elementary School
2nd Place – “Wind Works!” Carroll Elementary School
3rd Place – “The Effects of Artificial Colored Light on Plant Growth,” Sierra Enterprise Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Mold is Back,” James A. McKee Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Tooth Decay,” John Reith Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Rapid Reaction,” Stone Lake Elementary School
6th Grade
1st Place – “What Liquids Make A Battery?” Elitha Donner Elementary School
2nd Place – “ALFIE: The Automated Launching Feeder,” Foulks Ranch Elementary School
3rd Place – “Puppy Paws,” Edna Batey Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Hot Bats for Dummies,” Florence Markofer Elementary School
Honorable Mention – “Discover the Colors,” Helen Carr Castello Elementary School
7th/8th Grade
1st Place – “Breaking Bridges,” T.R. Smedberg Middle School
2nd Place – “Out Dam’d Spot!” Harriet G. Eddy Middle School
3rd Place – “Which Colored Light Affects the Growth of Radishes?” T.R. Smedberg Middle School
Honorable Mention – “Got Gravity?” T.R. Smedberg Middle School
Honorable Mention – “Candy Chromatography,” T.R. Smedberg Middle School
9th-12th Grade
1st Place – “Abdominal Capacity and Egg Production in Chickens,” Elk Grove High School
2nd Place – “What’s the Solution?” Elk Grove High School
3rd Place – “Organic Efficiency,” Elk Grove High School
Honorable Mention – “Does Late Day Hay Really Pay?” Elk Grove High School
Spotlight Archives
2009
March 25, 2009 - Winners selected for 4th Annual Superintendent’s Art Contest
March 12, 2009 - No Excuses – Go to School Attendance Campaign
February 17, 2009 - Harvest of the Month program teaches elementary students about the wonders of fruits and vegetables
February 5, 2009 - Community board meetings return for a third year
January 23, 2009 - EGUSD students see history through a veteran’s eyes
January 13, 2009 - A, B, C in A-G – Chart Your Course to College
2008
December 18, 2008 - Winners honored for EGUSD/U.S. Attorney’s Office Internet Safety Video Contest
December 01, 2008 - Winners of the 2008/2009 No Excuses – Go to School
November 17, 2008 - Bright Lights, Big Talent
October 24, 2008 - Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles visit Florin High School
October 9, 2008 - EGUSD Walks to School
October 2, 2008 - EGUSD’s Science Initiative
September 19, 2008 - Stephanie Lopez-Cox returns to Elk Grove a “Golden Girl”
September 10, 2008 - Valley High School Students Get a Start on College
August 25, 2008 - Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School and Cosumnes Oaks High School Open
August 14, 2008 - Incoming 7th graders take a “Jump Start” into their school year
August 4, 2008 - EGUSD’s Math Initiative
July 14, 2008 - Parents and students grow and learn together at Partners Preschool
June 16, 2008 - EGUSD Goes Gold – Celebrating 50 Years of Educational Excellence
June 6, 2008 - Kaiser Permanente Rewards EGUSD Elementary students with perfect attendance with the gift of a two-wheel ride
May 30, 2008 - Sheldon High School Student Matthew King wins Elk Grove Auto Mall 2007/2008 Graduating Seniors Attendance Drive
May 20, 2008 - Harriet Eddy Middle School student wins pair of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines
May 21, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified and the Elk Grove Education Association Celebrate the Day of the Teacher
May 6, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified School District’s 2008 Employees of the Year
April 28, 2008 - Sacramento County Educators Host Budget Forum at State Capital
April 16, 2008 - EGUSD Launches New Attendance Campaign Videos
April 4, 2008 - Winners selected for 3rd Annual Superintendent’s Art Contest
March 26, 2008 - Megaconference Jr. 2008 - Arthur C. Butler Students Take Their Voices to the World
March 17, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Joins Call to Fix Governor’s Proposed Budget
March 4, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Hosts Sacramento County Superintendents’ Press Conference on State Budget Cuts
Feb. 19, 2008 - 4th Annual High School Conference helps train the leaders of the future
Jan. 16, 2008 - Laguna Creek High School hosts ConnectEd Policy Site Visit
Jan. 02, 2008 - Senior Attendance Drive returns for second year
2007
Dec. 12, 2007 - John Ehrhardt Elementary students combine academics and community service
Dec. 03, 2007 - EGUSD’s Commitment to Service Learning Honored
Nov. 15, 2007 - Winners announced for No Excuses – Go to School Rhyme & Poster Contests
Nov. 13, 2007 - Veterans Day celebrated at Elk Grove Unified
Oct. 23, 2007 - Time of Remembrance Project and Website
Oct. 15, 2007 - Markofer Elementary offers “Donuts for Dads/Muffins for Moms"
Oct. 3, 2007 - EGUSD elementary schools participate in Walk to School Day
Sept. 18, 2007 - Options abound on new College and Career website
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