From Mentos to Molecules

Tackling topics like “Does temperature affect how Diet Coke and Mentos react?” and “Choosing the longest lasting battery,” more than 60 Region 5 students in grades 4-6 demonstrated their mental prowess at the 2019 Science Fair at Sourcewell.

The event was held Thursday, March 7 in Staples. This is the first time Sourcewell has hosted the event. According to Sourcewell Student Academic Coordinator Katie Embree, the elementary science fair began as a dream more than 20 years ago by a classroom teacher in Bertha-Hewitt. In collaboration with other teachers, and with the help of Freshwater Education District, the science fair was planted in Region 5. In fall 2018, the Freshwater Gifted and Talented programming transitioned to Sourcewell and the science fair was one of the programs that made the shift.

Five regional schools participated in this year's fair, including Bertha-Hewitt, Browerville, Henning, Pillager, and Staples-Motley. Students were invited to enter a project in either the experiments category or research. Participating students were top finishers at their respective schools, earning them an opportunity to move on to the regional science fair at Sourcewell.

“We had many young scientists in our midst,” Embree said. “Curious minds that took the opportunity to explore the why or what if of science. Learning is a fun journey of exploration; keep your inquisitive minds asking questions and seeking the answers.”

2019 Science Fair Results:

Fourth Grade: Research

1^st – Jaidyn Dykhoff, Bertha-Hewitt

2^nd – Caleb Watercott, Henning

3^rd – Brooke Kline, Henning

4^th – Evan Schultz & Thomas Johnson, Staples Motley

Fourth Grade: Experiment

1^st – Brady Bowman, Bertha-Hewitt

2^nd – Hallie Weller, Henning

3^rd – Paxton Line & Peyton Roberts, Browerville

4^th – Hansen, Henning

HM – Elliot Severson, Henning

Fifth Grade: Research

1^st – Monica Hansen, Henning

2^nd – Norah Froslee, Henning

3^rd – Mason Albertson, Staples Motley

4^th – Callie Greenwaldt, Bertha-Hewitt

Fifth Grade: Experiment

1^st – Nathanial Seamann, Staples Motley

2^nd Anthony Rousu, Henning

3^rd – Annabella Hegarty, Bertha-Hewitt

4^th - Lily Cline, Staples Motley

HM – Miette Hansel, Bertha-Hewitt

HM – Lydia Stearns & Adriana Botello, Browerville

Sixth Grade: Research

1^st – Peyton Mithun, Staples Motley

2^nd – Ella Banister, Bertha-Hewitt

3^rd – Joshua Rasmussen, Henning

4^th – Jacob Schmitz, Bertha-Hewitt

HM – Natalie Marxer, Browerville

HM – Steven Petrich, Staples Motley

Sixth Grade: Experiment

1^st – Carter Wilhelmi, Bertha-Hewitt

2^nd – Sawyer Ferdon, Staples Motley

3^rd – Tiffany Weber, Henning

4^th – Maggie Teigland, Bertha-Hewitt

HM – Avery Rowe, Henning

HM – Lily Richey, Staples Motley