Science Fair Highlights 'Budding Researchers' At Northbrook Jr High

NORTHBROOK, IL — Science fair season is here, but many local students worked throughout the fall on their projects. On Saturday, 47 students at Northbrook Junior High School presented their work at the school.

According to Northbrook District 28, 39 students are advancing to the Illinois Junior Academy of Science regional competition, which will be held on March 2 at Stevenson High School. From there, those who receive Gold awards at regionals will advance to state competition in May.

With gold, silver and bronze awards up for grabs, the students presented their research and findings to a panel of three judges. District officials said the judges evaluate the oral presentation, the written work and scientific method of the experiments based on the Illinois Junior Academy of Science rubric.

Students learn the scientific method, how to research and find appropriate sources, conduct and control their experiments and how to present their findings in a research paper complemented with graphs, statistics and visual evidence.

"This class is unique because students are determining what they're studying. It sets them up for high school and college by building skills to be independent learners. And you just see joy of learning in these students," said Lauren Johnson, a science teacher at the school, who supports the students along with teachers Fred Yoon and Amber Paull.

"I learned a lot about determination and what I like more in science. It helps you see what you're truly interested in," eighth-grade student Henry Gartz, who participated for the second straight year, said.

According to the district, the science fair is also an annual event for many of the judges, who return year after year to volunteer, many of whom were student researchers themselves. David and Alex Braden graduated from the school in 1998. The twin brothers have returned most years to spend a Saturday morning reviewing students' work.

"We just really enjoy doing it," David Braden said.

The brothers were among the 32 judges, current and former staff members, former students now in high school, community members, family and friends who volunteer to make the event possible.