NICEVILLE, Fla. — Several students attending middle school and high school in Niceville earned awards and recognition at the State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) of Florida last week in Lakeland, Florida.
The SSEF features a three-day display of over 900 science project exhibits prepared by aspiring scientists and engineers in grades six through 12.
Designed to recognize scientific talent in young people, the SSEF focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), introduces students to organized research, and provides teachers a forum for the exchange of ideas, according to the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD).
Students share their ideas during the event, increase personal development in scientific and technological areas, gain self-confidence in problem-solving skills, and participate in educational field trips and tours of local areas of interest.
Participating area students first competed in the intense Safety and Display process before qualifying to compete in the State Science Fair competition.
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Students were then treated to a STEM field trip to iFLY, where students learned about wind tunnels and the dynamics of flight, watched demonstrations, completed an experiment, and then flew in the wind tunnels.
“These students worked very hard and were a fantastic group,” said Jennifer Cook, a science teacher at Ruckel Middle School and director of the regional science fair.
“I’m so proud of them – 13 out of 19 projects were recognized in some way. In many cases, they were competing against students who complete their research and projects inside of research classes and internships at their schools.”
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Here are the students from Okaloosa and Walton counties that received awards and recognitions at the science fair:
- Adeline Berte, Niceville High School
Category Recognition - Kathryn Conlan, STEMM Academy
Category Recognition - Drew Cook, Ruckel Middle School
- Sydney Foggo, Ruckel Middle School
- Ronald Gurney, Niceville High School
Special Award (cash – $200) - Olivia Hodapp, STEMM Academy
Category Honorable Mention - Londyn Lewis, Ruckel Middle School
- Kai Loux, Ruckel Middle School
Category 4th
- Mori McCain and Elizabeth Pruitt, Rocky Bayou Christian School
- Aurora Mendenall, Niceville High School
Category Recognition - Sierra Neitzki, STEMM Academy
Special Award ($25) and Category Recognition - Zoe Orange, Paxton High School
Category 4th - Zachary Ott, Ruckel Middle School
Category 3rd - Caitlin Scroggs, Ruckel Middle School
Category 3rd
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- Colin Smith, Ruckel Middle School
Special Award (cash – $50) - Julie Stearman, Ruckel Middle School
- Elizabeth Teater, Ruckel Middle School
Category 3rd - Annaliese Thompson, Niceville High School
Special Award (cash – $25) - Holly Thompson, South Walton High School
According to the OCSD, Aurora Mendenall, Niceville High School, and Zoe Orange, Paxton High School, were interviewed and may be included in a documentary for National Geographic called “The Road to ISF (International Science and Engineering Fair).”
