Science is Honored at South Orange Middle School

The South Orange Middle School cafeteria was turned into a giant science hall on May 23 as visitors – students, parents, teachers, and incoming sixth graders – were invited to interact with exhibits on everything from biology and psychology to technology and ways schools can help children with autism learn better.

The event took place during the middle school’s traditional School in Action Night, an opportunity to show rising fifth graders the variety of opportunities and learning awaiting them beginning next September. The awarding of trophies to winners of the Science Fair is among the highlights of the evening.

This year, 55 projects were entered in the science challenge, said Diane Grant, the teacher who organizes the event and inspires the young scientists. The Home and School Association supports the Science Fair.

Over two days, the students had presented their experiments, research, results and conclusions to a team of judges that included science teachers and a SOMS graduate who won the science challenge every year of middle school. This year Betty Cicenia, Anthony Cicenia and Brett Asher judged the entries.

The competition was tough, with spectacularly original projects covering a range of topics from moldy bread, plants and worms. “A special thank you,” said Mrs. Grant, “to all of the parents who supported their young scientist’s efforts as they went through their scientific journey.”

6th Grade Winners

1^st Place – Stephen Lehren, “Legos - The Building Bricks for Social Skills”

2^nd Place - Ben Goldberg and Blake McGowan, “Early Bin Gets the Worm”

3^rd Place Tie: Emma Chung and Zaria Thompson, “Now That’s a Vicious Viscous” and Dithmi Vithana, “Moldy Bread”

4^th Place - Mary Arevalo and Miranda Lipetz, “A Confusion of Senses”

7^th Grade Winners

1^st Place Tie: Jay Ascher, “Under the Influence” and Adam Dubowy, “Processing Passages”

2^nd Place – Christina Ricci and Olivia Clarke, “Life’s Pressure”

4^th Place - Sidney Ha and Sylvia Osner, “The Science Behind Making a Website”

8^th Grade Winners

1^st Place – Hanae Garrison, “The Gravitational Pull on Plant Roots”

2^nd Place – Rebekah Adams, “ Preventing Enzymatic Fruit Browning”

3^rd Place – Filip Saulean – “Spring vs. Tap”