Gathering STEAM: Webutuck’s 10th annual science fair a success

AMENIA — The 10th annual STEAM Fair from the Webutuck Teachers’ Association took place Saturday, Feb. 24, in the gym of Webutuck’s Eugene Brooks Intermediate School (EBIS).

The STEAM Fair — STEAM stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math” — featured presentations, research projects, and experiments by about 50 participants, all Webutuck students from across the district, grades K-12).

Several round tables held two exhibits, and while there were two or three scenarios involving volcanoes, the projects were varied and creative.

The student participants came up with their concepts, constructed them, and then stood with them throughout the fair, capably presenting their work to the Listeners, Judges and other visitors.

Many parents, grandparents and siblings there to cheer them on.

Co-chairs Danielle Fridstrom and Christine Gillette were helped by Judges and a team of Listeners, which included seven students in addition to teachers and staff.

The Listeners visited each project, and listened as each student explained what part or parts of STEAM their project dealt with, why they chose that particular project, and how they created the exhibit, as well as how something worked and what the expected result would be.

The STEAM Fair is a teaching tool, but it is also fun, according to most of the students. There was a competitive spirit; awards and prizes given out after the judging concluded.

Fridstrom said, at the conclusion of the fair: “Thank you to all who helped make our 10th annual Webutuck STEAM Fair possible. We had almost 50 participants show up today, seven student listeners, and over 20 volunteer staff members.”

Special awards for grades K-4

Visual Communications Award: Caroline Eschbach, fourth grade — water purification; Lilliana Nelson, third grade — coral reefs; and Nolan Veach, third grade — lava lamps.

Innovation Award: Cassidy Brennan, fourth grade — dog treats; Carlos Lopez Giron, fourth grade, and Cody Deister, first grade — volcanic eruption.

MacGyver Award: Caleb Dennis, third grade — popsicle catapult; Henry Eschbach, second grade — lemon battery; and Emmett Johnson, second grade — volcanoes.

DaVinci Award: Kyra Whalen, fourth grade — wiggle bot; Connor Deister, first grade — busy bees; Samual Johnson, kindergarten — crystal growth.

EBIS (grades 5-8)

First place: Ryan Morrissey, seventh grade — aerodynamics; second place: Riley Whalen, sixth grade — wind tunnel aerodynamics; third place: Noah Veach, fifth grade — oobleck walkway; honorable mention: Nolan Howard, seventh grade — strength of magnetic crane.

Webutuck High School (grades 9-12 winners)

First place: Hailey Brennan, ninth grade — “Great Stain Showdown”; second place: Kaelea Murphy, 11th grade, and Corbn Shambo, 12th grade — “Werms”; third place: Jayden Avery, ninth grade — “How Much Sugar in Drinks?”; Honorable mention: Andres Dionicio, Brendan Dean and Emily Howarth, ninth grade — “Taste the Rainbow of Science”

Judith O’Hara Balfe

Fourth grader Caroline Eschbach demonstrates her water filtration system. She just turned 10, and lives in Amenia.