State Science and Engineering Fair
The State Science and Engineering Fair was held Saturday, March 24, in the Engineering Technology Building at Fairmont State University. This was a state-wide fair. Of the 61 eligible projects, forty-two were from the Eastern Panhandle. Five students represented Morgan County, four from Berkeley Springs High and one from Paw Paw High.
Kalee Sherrard received first place in Botany & Plant Science for her project, “Is the Future Brighter for Hydroponics?” She was also grand prize runner-up.
Michael Pracht from Paw Paw received second place in Environmental Sciences for his project, “The Effect of Human Hair & Oil-Only Polypropylene Sorbent Material on Fresh Water Surface Oil Spills.” He also received the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, in which he was nominated to compete by submitting a copy of his research paper for a chance to be selected to represent West Virginia at the Stockholm National Junior Water Prize Competition in Boston, Mass. in June.
Rachel Michaels received second place in Behavioral and Social Sciences for her project, “How Do Different Tempos of Instrumental Music Affect Blood Pressure?”
Nathan Quarantillo presented his project, “The Strength of the Shield.” He received an Award of Achievement from the Air Force.
Noah Caldwell presented his project, "Is Carbon Dioxide Detectable on an Idling Bus?”
In recent history, Kalee Sherrard is the first student from Morgan County to be grand prize runner-up. The grand prize winner at the state fair gets to go to the international science fair.
Michael Pracht went on to compete at the West Virginia Junior Science Humanities Symposium held Saturday, March 31 at West Virginia Wesleyan. He placed third which is a $1,000 scholarship to a college of his choice and a $1,500 four-year-renewable scholarship to WV Wesleyan College as well as an expense-paid trip to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Bethesda, Md., May 2-6, where he was invited to present his oral presentation in poster form with possible awards consisting of ribbons and gift certificates.
