Students presenting projects for prizes at regional science fair next month
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IDAHO FALLS – Hillcrest High School, along with White Pine STEM Academy and American Heritage Charter School, are joining forces to host what they’re calling “the largest science fair in the state.”
It’s happening on March 7 at the Melaleuca Events Center. About 150 students will showcase a science project based on the category of their choice. Prizes will be awarded for the top three high school projects in each category and the top five middle school projects. Judges will also select their top four for the best overall.
“The goal that we have is to let kids present to an audience because that’s what really makes them grow and learn the most,” says Barbara Nelson, a teacher at Hillcrest who is helping to organize the event. “We want them to present to actual scientists and people (working in that type of career).”
Winners of the regional science fair have the option of competing in the National STEM Festival coming up on April 12.
American Heritage students Logan Krohn and Jasmine Lima made it to nationals last year. Their projects recently won the National STEM Challenge as well.
Hayley Hartner, one of Nelson’s high school students, was a finalist.
The Idaho STEM Action Center has hosted regional science fairs for the last seven years. Organizers opted not to hold it in 2024 as they work to revamp it.
Nelson and her team didn’t want students in eastern Idaho to miss out so they decided to host their own.
Alaysha Whitworth, a science teacher at American Heritage, is another organizer for the event. She says giving students a chance to research a topic and present it to the community is an invaluable experience.
“Some students are not geared toward science, math and engineering but it’s really cool to let them explore that side of education. They learn how to collaborate with others and how to present to adults. Finishing a big, long project gives them pride in their work … and it’s pretty special,” Whitworth says.
Both teachers are grateful to Melaleuca for allowing them to use the venue and to the Lewis Corporation and STEM Action Center for collectively providing $2,600 to pay for prizes and lunch that day.
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The science fair will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 2 p.m. They’re looking for judges to award prizes. Whitworth encourages students and community members to get involved.
“It’s a great opportunity to try something new in a field that’s growing in Idaho. There are thousands of unfilled jobs in the STEM fields. We can help expose students to this industry and maybe (they’ll pursue) a career,” says Whitworth.
To learn more or sign up to participate, send an email to nelsonba@d93mail.com.