CHARLESTON, W.Va. (February 20, 2020) –
Students from Lakewood and Malden elementaries were the big winners at the
inaugural Wild and Wonderful Water Science Fair for Kanawha County fifth-graders
and will be honored at their respective schools during ceremonies on Monday,
February 24.
Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection’s Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Program and the City of
Charleston’s Stormwater Program, the fair was conducted February 17 at the
Advance Technology Center Toyota Hall in South Charleston. Two separate
fifth-grade classes from Lakewood captured first- and second-place trophies,
while Malden finished third. A panel of four judges evaluated 15 water science
projects.
Under the direction of teacher Jodi Ballard,
Lakewood’s winning project explored the variances in local tap and bottled
water. Lakewood’s second-place finisher, under the guidance of teacher Jessica
Blake, tested how plants would grow using liquids other than water for
nourishment. And Malden’s third-place entry, under the efforts of teacher Tonya
Harper, focused on water quality issues in Morris Creek, a tributary of the
Kanawha River.
The winning project will receive $250, with
students earning individual medals. Second place is worth $150 and third place
$100. Lakewood’s two winning classes will be recognized during a ceremony at
1:15 p.m. on February 24 at the school. Malden will be honored at 8:45 a.m. on
the same day at its school.
“We felt like the science fair was a
tremendous success,” said Lee Ann Grogg, from the City of Charleston’s Stormwater
Program. “Teachers were able to incorporate science into their classrooms in a
fun way, while at the same time promote team-building.
“Students also learned about science-related
careers, gained valuable public-speaking experience and demonstrated the
importance of water to the world.
“We would especially like to thank our judges,
sponsors and partners for their dedication and support, as well at the Advance
Technology Center for hosting this year’s fair.”
Additional sponsors for the fair included:
West Virginia American Water, Antero Resources, DuPont, Waste Management and
City National Bank.
Science fair partners included: the
West Virginia State University Extension Service; the National Park Service;
the West Virginia Youth Environmental Program; and the West Virginia divisions
of Forestry and Natural Resources.
For more DEP news and information,
go to www.dep.wv.gov. Also, connect with the agency on
all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter, Like us on Facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/depwv/, and find us on YouTube by searching
“Environment Matters.”
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