SAIPAN, Mariana Islands, FM — William S. Reyes Elementary School yesterday held its traditional Science Fair that highlighted several impressive entries from the students.

WSR sixth graders Martin Ramos, April M. Sablan, Ally Orak, and Quinzy Ngirarois fire off their rocket yesterday on campus. Photo: Mark Peñaranda.

There were over 60 entries in four different categories that were displayed in the school cafeteria to be judged by community members.

Suzie M. Torres, a second grade teacher and member of the organizing committee, said  there were fewer entries this year, but they showed marked improvement from the previous years.

The four contest categories are physical, life, health and earth. Students can enter two projects per category.

Judges yesterday selected 24 winners for the competition.

Torres said the panel of judges from the Department of Public Health, Northern Marianas College and the community were amazed with the resourcefulness demonstrated by the students.

“Every year, students are given the opportunity to select their own topics and do their own research…and I can tell that judges were surprised with the topics presented today,” she said.

Each project must  use the scientific method which includes the statement of the problem, hypothesis, materials, procedures, conclusion and  results.

“Through the Science Fair, we believe that our students are provided the opportunity to do their own research and know how to actually put a project together, and they also learn to answer questions that develop their critical and rational thinking,” Torres said.

Among the first place winners were sixth graders Martin Ramos, April M. Sablan, Ally Orak, and Quinzy Ngirarois whose entry was a model rocket.

They concluded that a small rocket can also fly, contrary to belief that only big rockets can do it.

“We’re very happy to see that our project is being appreciated. We’ve been working on this since last week and all our hard work paid off,” Ramos said, adding that every year he wants to come up with “something new and challenging” for the Science Fair competition.

 Sablan said they also learned the importance of cooperation and teamwork during the preparation for their project.

“The Internet and the books in our library really helped,” the students said.

The other entries this year included volcano eruption, lights and leaves, tsunami, floating in the air, video effect on heart, magnet, hand washing, best substance for cleaning teeth, how does lungs work, kidney failures’ affect on the body, and health attackers.

Copyright © 2008, Marianas Variety.