Next generation of scientists shows off discoveries at Wareham Middle School science fair

Mar 1, 2018

What do a solar dog food feeder, the sugar content of sports drinks and emotions have in common? All were subjects tackled by Wareham Middle School students during the school's fifth annual science fair held Thursday.

There were 209 curious, budding scientists who participated in the science fair, each choosing a scientific topic to explore that they were passionate about. In total, 127 projects were entered into the fair.

Some students worked on the projects since the beginning of the school year, said science fair coordinator and Wareham Middle School science teacher Kimberlee Scott.

"They're researching something that they're passionate about," Scott said. "They see science doesn't have to be traditional and old-fashioned."

Wareham Middle School student Noah Reardon chose his project after his dentist told him not to drink sugary sports drinks after practice. His project measured the amount of sugar in a variety of sports drinks, finding out how they can impact teeth.

Michael Rudnicki and Autumn Savage's science fair project was ambitious, attempting to create a solar dog feeder.

"I made it for those times when you leave home and you're like, 'Crap, did I forget to feed the dogs?'" Savage said.

Another project was inspired by the Disney movie "Inside Out." Jeane Wallace, who works for the National Weather Service, was one judge who looked at that project, made by student Julia Pomerleau.

Pomerleau said she thought of the idea after her mom was in the hospital and she learned about how emotions can impact people. She did a survey of teachers and students at the middle school to find out their emotional state.

"I learned how many emotions you can feel at once," Pomerleau said, adding that her survey found joy was the most common emotion felt at the middle school.

Wallace said she was impressed by the mix of projects, some focused on physical science and others on psychological aspects.

"I want to help kids go into science," Wallace said. "The kids have all been very knowledgable, easy to speak to and polite."