Perham High School science projects nearly swept the regional competition Feb. 25--with ten of 11 projects qualifying for the state science research contest.
Two of the projects earned trips to the International Science and Engineering Fair this May. Two other projects earned students a trip to the International as observers, which is similar to being honored as an alternate.
The regional competition was hosted Feb. 25, at Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
A remarkably researched and in-depth study of the effect of estrogen was a top, purple ribbon winner for Stephanie Hamm. Competing in the Environmental Sciences category, Hamms project earned her trips to the state and international events.
No Strings Attached: Wireless Power Solutions was the title of the International qualifying project presented by the team of Ethan Huwe and Ian Johnson, entering in the engineering category. Via a magnetic field, current can be generated to recharge gadgets such as cell phones and music players. But the concept could be carried to automobiles, where a car owner could park his electric vehicle on a pad and re-charge in the garage overnight.
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Steroids and a comparison with natural herbal supplements was the microbiology project that won an International Fair alternate for Nick DeVillers and Tim Fresonke.
Creatine is the supplement that was used by Mark McGwire, John Elway and Barry Bonds. Fresonke and DeVillers compared cell growth under the synthetic creatine and the natural supplement Korean ginseng.
By studying bacteria in beef cattle fecal matter, Deanna Rastedt concluded that the bacteria count in animals that are grain-fed was twice as high as hay-fed beef.
Science teacher Shawn Stafki felt his students had excellent projects, at the science open house Feb. 24--the night before the trip to Moorhead.
But he didnt know if he could top last year--when 11 of 14 projects went on to state.
Much to his delight, 10 of 11 projects this year qualified for state--and beyond
The State Science Research Fair is April 1-4, in St. Paul
The International Science and Engineering Fair is May 7-13, in Indianapolis.
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The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) is the world's largest pre-college celebration of science. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,400 students from more than 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and the grand prize: a $50,000 college scholarship. Science Service founded the ISEF in 1950 and is very proud to have Intel as the title sponsor of this prestigious, international competition.
