7th Graders Recognized for Science Research

The following release was submitted by Karen Meade of Schwenksville:

Two seventh grade students at earned special recognition for their participation in the 55^th annual Montgomery County Science Research Competition (MCSRC). The competition, which was held March 14-18, 2012 at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA, showcased science research conducted by 583 students from 43 different public and private schools throughout Montgomery County.

Faith Rodgers received an honorable mention in the middle school biochemistry division for her project titled  Planarium reaction time to light when exposed to Red Bull energy drink. Faith’s original research stemmed from her wondering whether energy drinks were as much of health hazard as she had been taught in school. The project involved designing and conducting an experiment with live specimens which Faith soaked in Red Bull to test how the substance affected the specimens’ behavior. Faith’s faculty sponsor was Jacqueline Cody, a seventh grade science teacher at Spring-Ford Middle School.

Robert Meade was awarded third place in the middle school engineering division for his project titled Do you pay for the brand or the battery? Robert’s original research sought to determine whether more expensive name brand batteries would outlast less costly generic batteries. The project required Robert to build a test circuit, measure data, graph data, analyze results and to then present those results in a clear and concise yet visually appealing format. Robert’s faculty sponsor was Ryan Rendick, a seventh grade science teacher at Spring-Ford Middle School.

This year marks the second year in which Spring-Ford Middle School 7^th grade students participated in the MCSRC. Seventh grade science teacher Beth Croll has served as the school’s Science Fair Coordinator for both of those years. Having both Spring-Ford seventh grade participants earn special recognition is an accomplishment of which Ms. Croll and the entire Spring-Ford Middle School science faculty can be proud.

Having placed in the top three of his division, Robert has also earned the honor of competing at the regional level in April. This competition will take place at the Delaware Valley Science Fair held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.  Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Inc. (DVSF) is one of the oldest and largest science fairs in the country. It was designed as a vehicle for stimulating interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students in middle and high schools in the tri-state area.  The philosophy behind the DVSF is that students learn science by doing science. DVSF provides an opportunity for students to excel and reach their full potential fostering intellectual curiosity and creative problem solving - essential skills for future innovation.

From the Editor

Seventh Grade Principal Theresa Weidenbaugh left an additional comment with the media:

"Great article that showcases Robert, Faith and the entire science department!  Beth along with her colleagues work very hard and they put in many extra hours so that the seventh grade students have an opportunity to expand on science research outside the regular school day.  They do it for students without any extra compensation.  It is amazing to see the students perform so successfully in the first two years Spring-Ford has competed.  It is a testament to the rigorous educational instruction that takes place on a daily basis. "