{span}SCIENCE SUPERSTARS: Participants included tenth graders Evan Roberts and Layla Staley; ninth graders Nayeli Badillo, Joleth Correon, Kathryn Covington, Laylen Hines, Claire Jones, Kayden McLain, Lillian Oaksford, and Caroline Westberg; eighth graders Anna Catherine Duplantis, Andrew Robertson, and Clay Johnson; seventh graders Braylee Hall and Conley Anderson; and sixth graders Aaron Irvin and Daniel Thompson.{/span}

THOMASVILLE — Seventeen Thomas County students recently participated in the Georgia State Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF) in Athens, Georgia.

Anna Catherine Duplantis placed second in her category in the Junior Division.

“It was a wonderful opportunity where I was able to learn how to interact with judges and competitors. I hope to return next year with more knowledge and share more of my findings,” said Anna Catherine Duplantis.

Ninth grader Lillian Oaksford said, “I was very shocked (of being selected to attend the state level competition) but glad that my hard work paid off. The feedback from the judges and simply being at state gave me new ideas for next year.”

Aaron Irvin won a special award for his project, the first of what are called the Grand Awards by GSEF. The award for “Grossest Project” was voted on by all of the participating students at the fair. Aaron was thrilled with winning the award and practically danced in excitement on the stage as he accepted the award for his project entitled “Trash Talk.”

Daniel Thompson placed fourth in his category in the Junior Division.

“I was so excited to make it to state with my first ever science project. The experience taught me a lot and I’m looking forward to competing again next year,” commented Thompson about the experience.

Clay Johnson won first place for the Junior Division in the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers Best Use of Engineering Skills Awards. This special award was given to Johnson’s project on the strength of weld made with different flux material.

“I really enjoyed going to the state science fair in Athens this year,” Johnson said. “I enjoyed all of the activities, especially the tour of the UGA campus given by TCCHS graduate, Claire Pope. This was an overall great experience and I’m thankful for the opportunity to compete at the state level.”

Andrew Robertson won the Inspiring Excellence Award, an Office of Naval Research Naval Science Award, a nomination to the Thermo Fisher Junior Science Innovators Challenge, and placed as the Overall Winner in his category in the Grand GSEF Awards.

Robertson said, “The judges asked some very good questions and made me feel very at ease. Everyone was really encouraging, making me feel like I can do more with this project and go even further.”

Ninth grader Caroline Westberg summed up by saying, “Though it was scary trying to answer the judges’ questions, it gave me a kind of rush to be confident! I want to work with a topic that can benefit our environment next year and even try to win something.”