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

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

Kindergartener Samuel Johnson, 5, made his experiment about crystals; his brother, first grader Emmett, 7, was into volcanoes.

Judith O’Hara Balfe

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.


Latest News

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The long-awaited demolition of Millerton’s Highway and Water Department building began Monday, Oct. 27, marking a major milestone in the village’s recovery from the February fire that destroyed the facility.

The demolition, handled by BELFOR Property Restoration, is now underway. Eddie Collins Park, located next to the site, remains open to the public, though visitors are asked to steer clear of the demolition area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Keane Stud developers present environmental impact analysis

A preliminary draft of an impact analysis study for a Keane Stud subdivision application drew residents to a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Photo by leila Hawken

AMENIA — Residents had the opportunity on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to weigh in on the proposed Keane Stud subdivision, a plan that would divide roughly 605 acres into 27 mostly residential lots, during a meeting of the Amenia Planning Board.

The session was part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, following the board’s decision that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared to evaluate potential environmental and scenic impacts from the project.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia investigates budget officer over use of clerk’s signature
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia budget officer Charlie Miller has been accused of submitting the town’s tentative budget with an old signature from Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner.

Klingner said she reported the issue to the Town Board in executive session on Oct. 3, prompting members to assign the town’s labor attorney, Robert Schofield, to investigate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local, county candidates gather for NorthEast-Millerton Library forum

Millerton and North East residents crowded into the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on Friday, Oct. 24, to hear from 10 candidates seeking office.

Photo by Christian Murray

MILLERTON — A crowd of about 60 people filled the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex for a political Q&A session with candidates for local and county offices on Friday, Oct. 24.

Panels of candidates rotated across the stage, answering questions submitted beforehand and impromptu questions from audience members in the room.

Keep ReadingShow less