Students win awards at science fair

Elementary students show off research and projects at Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair

The Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair celebrated two days of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery on December 4-5 as elementary school students from across the county showcased their best work. The annual event recognized young scientists for their research, curiosity, and commitment to learning.

The fair featured five categories: environmental sciences, biological sciences, chemistry, physics and mathematics, and engineering and technology. Students were judged on their use of the scientific method, the quality of their research, the resources they cite, and the evidence they provide to support their results.

“We had 123 projects across the two days, and it was clear our students are responding well to North Carolina’s new science standards,” said Dr. Laura Clawson, elementary science curriculum facilitator. “Students were required to make a claim, gather evidence, and explain their reasoning, which mirrors the way real scientists conduct investigations.”

Clawson added, “Many of the projects connected science to everyday interests such as baking, testing makeup, kicking a soccer ball, and throwing a baseball. Students measured variables, recorded data, and analyzed results to understand cause and effect. It was exciting to see them apply scientific thinking to questions that matter to them.”

For Coriana Woods, a fifth grader at Costner Elementary, her love of growing up with fresh and saltwater fish tanks helped spark her idea to study “How Air Pollution and Ocean Acidification Affect Coral Reefs.”

“I tested how different amounts of acid affect coral skeletons by using saltwater, vinegar, and red cabbage juice as a pH indicator,” said Woods, who earned a perfect score on her science project. “The vinegar represented carbonic acid, which forms when carbon dioxide from air pollution mixes with ocean water.”

Woods added, “I discovered that the stronger the acid, the more the coral dissolved. My project shows that even small changes in pH can make a big difference for ocean animals and coral reef health.”

Beyond the competition, the science fair offered a rich learning experience. Shelton Winget of The Schiele Museum of Natural History led a lesson about weather; it included hands-on activities that engaged students in learning about electricity, high and low pressure systems, and how those elements affect weather patterns.

The middle and high school science fair will take place January 8-9. Winners from the elementary, middle, and high school levels will advance to the virtual Regional VI Science and Engineering Fair on January 29 and 31 with the opportunity to move on to the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair on March 21 in Raleigh.

Special thanks to the City of Belmont for providing space at the CityWorks facility to conduct the Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Day One Winners
Overall and Special Awards