Brenda Lucas: Local News for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Students from Putnam County Schools recently showcased their science and engineering projects at the county level of the Division II Science and Engineering Fair in mid-January. The competition took place at Winfield Middle School, with the aim of advancing participants to the Region III Science and Engineering Fair on February 11 at Coonskin Park Clubhouse in Charleston.

Among the champions were students from Poca Middle School who presented various projects in different categories. Macie Dean, Emberlynn Rowh, and Charlie Miller, presented “Music to My Cat’s Ears” in the field of animal science. On the other hand, Morgan Snodgrass, Declan Horn, and Cohen Massie explored “The Science of Where’s Waldo” within the behavioral science category. Jessalyn Caruthers and Marley Sanders delved into “The Perfect Cookie” under chemistry, while Khloe Snyder, Aubrey Dawson, and Kynlee Dunlap investigated “Milk Magic” in the realm of materials science.

Additionally, Malijah Davis, Luke Hill, and Bryon Bradshaw presented “Shark Bite” in the category of math and data. Jordyn Lemle, Dawson Sams, and Landon Slater examined “Color and Taste” in medical sciences, and Anderson Leftwich and Josh Tinney compared “Knuckleball vs. Fastball” within the physics domain. Vera Smart explored “One Bad Apple” focusing on plant science.Winfield Middle School’s Dima Malko and Howie Sample showcased their project “Does Climate Change Ecosystems?” under earth and environmental sciences. Ryker Gladwell and Asher Knott presented “Fold and Fly” in the field of engineering, while Ryleigh Fauber’s project “Latent Fingerprints” centered on technology.

Furthermore, Cruz Massey and Daniel O’Neal from Poca Middle were recognized as runners-up for their project “The Three Bridges” in the engineering category. All participants were encouraged to put their best foot forward as they geared up for the next level of competition before potentially moving on to the West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair on March 10 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

The event also featured a special tribute to award-winning singer-songwriters, Sean Altman from Rockapella and Jack Skuller from the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Buddy Holly Prize. Their contributions to the music industry were acknowledged, showcasing the talent and creativity that continues to shape the world of music. Such recognitions serve as a testament to the dedication and passion these artists bring to their craft, inspiring the next generation of musicians and songwriters to follow in their footsteps.