CCE students advance to State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa

(Photo by Kris Todd) Clay Central-Everly seventh grade student Rebecca White will be among the 14 CCE Middle School students competing in the State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa next month in Ames. The conclusions she came to with her water quality project, via Iowa Lakeside Laboratory tests, revealed that area water sources have increased pollutant levels. According to White's findings, the Little Sioux River has elevated phosphorus levels, West Lake Okoboji has elevated E. coli bacteria amounts, and Dog Creek and Willow Creek have elevated nitrate levels. [Order this photo]

Did you know that of the different types of music, classical music stimulates plant growth best?

Another fact: Wood shavings and leaves combust better than cattle manure and bean meal.

Forty-three Clay Central-Everly (CCE) seventh and eighth grade students showcased research projects such as these they've been working on since the start of second semester Tuesday afternoon in an annual science fair held in the Royal gym. Of the 43 middle school students, 14 qualified to take their science projects and present them at the State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa, scheduled to be held March 27 - 28 in Ames. CCE eighth grade students Emily Jobst, Rebecca Borkowski, Cody Vogel, Taylor Fahnlander, Tori Rayner, Talor Stein, Morgan Kirk and Chad Williamson, along with seventh graders Rebecca White, Blair Montgomery, Megan Wassom, Crystal Schmidt, Jesup Muhlbauer and Chance Steward will be among the more than 450 youth in grades six through 12 competing for prizes at the event, which is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Yesterday's CCE science fair exhibitors were judged on the creative ability, scientific thought and thoroughness they put into their research projects, along with their oral presentations and exhibits.

"I've been impressed with the quality of the work and the amount of work that goes into putting on the science fair," CCE Superintendent Monte Montgomery said. "I also appreciate the educational benefits. It's usually beneficial for them to write a report and give an oral report."

CCE middle school participants in the State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa date back to the early 1960s, when former Clay Central teachers Larry Eckard and Alice Schar initiated the science fair concept locally.

CCE teacher Roger Jobst helped Eckard with the project for eight years before taking charge of it in 1990.

"The students have learned to use the scientific process much better than they did in the past," Jobst said of the student involvement he's witnessed over the past 27 years.

Fellow CCE instructor Angie Vanderhoff also assisted this year's students with their project research and report compilations.