Thank you to all of the students and families who participated in Newcastle Elementary’s first ever science fair on Friday May 11!  Our student scientists obviously worked very hard on their projects and enjoyed sharing them.  Everyone had an opportunity to view more than 120 diverse projects from across the grade levels.

Pacific Science Center’s Radical Reactions demonstration was a huge hit, as were the hands-on microscope and wind car exhibits presented by KidsQuest. For those interested in prehistoric times, the Burke Museum’s Age of Dinosaurs fossils,
claws, and teeth were a special treat.

Many people contributed to making the Science Fair a success. A tremendous thank you to the sixteen local scientists who evaluated the student projects and provided feedback: Mayor Rich Crispo, Deputy Mayor Lisa Jensen, Macaire Ament, Charlie
Black, Christine Chapelle, Kurt Fluegge, John Jensen, Milia Kostadinova, Maggie Likes, Michele Maresh, Eric Markell, Sue Mystkowski, Brian Park, Katie Ringwood, Chris Scheckler, and Andy Wand.

Thank you to the teachers who helped inspire and organize this event: Trent Neugebauer, Alaina Barcello, and Melissa Canedy, as well as Liza Rickey for her help behind the scenes. And to the PTSA Co-Vice Presidents of Programs, Rachel
Handsman and Georgia Forchuk, for their guidance, creativity and help throughout the process.

In addition to those already mentioned, a fabulous group of volunteers helped ensure the event ran smoothly – developing the science fair website, creating the front entrance display, developing posters announcing the event, soliciting judges, printing certificates and putting together nametags, setting up tables and tri-folds, registering students, assisting with the KidsQuest and Burke Box exhibits, and cleaning up at the end of the evening.  Thank you to Stina Fluegge, Kelly Hay, Nami
Kusunose, Taneka Ogden, Jacqueline Park, Edana Peacock, Aminta Procel, Luca Procel, Mia Procel, Michelle Riley, Elena Thibeault, Hannah Wand, and Stefanie Williamson.

Newcastle Principal Marla Newton, Cathy Martin, Laurie Holmes and Donna Wood patiently responded to numerous questions; the teaching staff motivated students to participate in the science fair and graciously helped with storing the tri-folds;
and school custodian Trisha Kauffman helped with event logistics and clean up.

Finally, this event would not have happened without our student scientists and their families who supported and encouraged them. Let’s keep inspiring a passion for science among our kids!

Danielle Dixon

Science Fair Chair