Dakota Wesleyan University hosted the 27th annual South Central South Dakota Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 19 and announced its winners.
There were 168 students in grades six through 12, and 101 projects from 11 schools in 18 South Dakota counties. Students participating in this regional event brought projects that won in science fairs at local schools.
Three students were named the Senior Grand Award-winners and received the top DWU scholarships – worth $13,000 – and will advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Ariz., May 12-17. They include: Peyton Brink, Plankinton High School, “Navigational Support Cane”; Evan Blaha, Avon High School, “Analyzing the Effect of Tomato Variety & Maturity Date on Fruit Yield”; and Laren Sees and Callie Berndt, Avon High School, “How Does Fertilizer Affect the Effluent of Drain Tile in Agricultural Fields?”
The science fair is sponsored by the following: Dakota Wesleyan University, The Daily Republic, Your Touchtone Energy Cooperatives, Twin City Fan Companies LTD., Corey and Lisa Thelen, Davison County Implement, Andrew and Sarah Farke, Jordan Krell, and Logan Luxury Theatres Corporation.
School awards are as follows:
Best Presenters Award: Avon Middle School
South Dakota ESPCoR Stimulating Competitive Research Grant
First place, $2,000: Chamberlain High School
Second Place, $1,500: Wagner High School
Third place, $1,000: Corsica-Stickney High School
The following are a list of winners:
Senior Grand Award -- $12,000 DWU Scholarship
Peyton Brink, Plankinton High School, “Navigational Support Cane”
Evan Blaha, Avon High School, “Analyzing the Effect of Tomato Variety & Maturity Date on Fruit Yield”
Laren Sees and Callie Berndt, Avon High School, “How Does Fertilizer Affect the Effluent of Drain Tile in Agricultural Fields?”
Student Observers
Shalayne Nagel and Kimberly Tolsma, Avon High School, “Do Essential Oils Repel Ants?”
Junior Grand Award – $100 (individual projects)
Caleb Wallinga, Avon Middle School, “Effecting Bean Germination & Growth”
Megan Gretschmann, Avon Middle School, “What Whitening Toothpaste Works the Best?”
Junior Grand Award – $100 (group projects)
McKenna Kocmich and Grace Vanderlei, Avon Middle School, “A Concrete Plan for Recycling”
Life and Behavioral Sciences – senior division
First place, $4,000 DWU scholarship: Bradley Dangel, Andes Central High School, “Does Different Manure Matter?”
Second place, $3,000 DWU scholarship: Cassie Voigt, Avon High School, “What is the Effect of Amylase on the Hydrolysis of Starch Molecules?”
Third place, $2,000 DWU scholarship: Samantha Bordeen, Avon High School, “Household Chemicals Effect on Mortality Rate of Zebra Mussels?”
Honorable mention, Makayla Kopp, Avon High School, “Which Stimuli Gets the Worm?”
Certificates of merit:
Tiffany Pelton, Avon High School, “What is the Effect of Lawn Fertilizer on Dissolved Oxygen in Water?”
Justin Ferwerda, Avon High School, “The Effect of Fertilizer on Soybean Yields”
Jacob Maynard, Andes Central High School, “Planting of Tree Species in Shelter Belts Based on Transpiration Rates”
Rachael DeJong, Avon High School, “Extreme Algae”
Annamarie Medicine Horn, Andes Central High School, “Death Ray: Duration of Ultraviolet Exposure Kills Bacteria?”
Life and Behavioral Sciences – junior division
First place: Sarah Swier, Avon Middle School, “How Does Stress Affect the Body?”
Second place: Courtney Sees, Avon Middle School, “Gluteus Medius Strengthening Exercises Effect on Vertical Jump & Speed”
Third place: Daniel Soukup, Wagner Middle School, “Healthy Gum”
Honorable mention: Quenton Walls, Wessington Springs Middle School, “FOMO”
Physical Science and Engineering – senior division
First place, $4,000 DWU scholarship: Lincoln Thury, Avon High School, “Calculate the Most Effective Blend of Winter Diesel Fuel”
Second place, $3,000 DWU scholarship: Payton Tobin, Wessington Springs High School, “Does Soil Composition Affect Soybean Yields?”
Third place, $2,000 DWU scholarship: Reese Powers, Avon High School, “Most Effective Ratio of Baking Soida to Baking Powder for Baking”
Honorable mention: Waylon Torticill, Corsica-Stickney High School, “Make it Click”
Certificates of Merit:
Jared Mudder, Avon High School, “Get the Lead Out”
Tate Kotalik, Avon High School, “Improving the Efficiency of a Goose Neck Trailer”
Reece Loewe, Avon High School, “Does the Time of Day Affect the Number of Tornadoes?”
Physical Science and Engineering – junior division
First place: Kendall Olawsky, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “The KOKOMO!”
Second Place: Hayden Talsma, Avon Middle School, “How Fast Does Water Filter Through Tilled vs Non-Tilled Soil?”
Third place: Sarah Poncelow, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Ice Breaker”
Honorable mention: Saylor Lefers, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Salt and It's Effects on the Freezing Point of Water”
Group projects – senior division
First place, $4,000 DWU scholarship: Gabby Abdo-Smith and Jocelyn Abdo, Andes Central High School, “The Effect of Soil Temperature on Plant Growth”
Second place, $3,000 DWU scholarship: Jason DeJong and Spencer Berndt, Avon High School, “PacMan 2.0”
Third place, $2,000 DWU scholarship: Trever Bartlet, Corbin VanZee, and Caleb Krogstad, Corsica-Stickney High School, “Fueled by Fire”
Honorable mention: Lydia Krenke and Meya Bohlen, Chamberlain High school, “Memorization”
Certificates of merit:
Trent Raysby and Austin Zimmerman, Avon High School, “Efficiency of Flocculation in Water Treatment Plants”
Gracie Czmowski and Elizabeth McCardle, Mitchell High School, “Booming Algae”
Trevor Houska and Kordel Chmela, Chamberlain High school, “Trebuchet Building & Launch Improvements”
Group Projects – junior division
First place: Madilyn Mudder and Gracie Small, Avon Middle School, “What is the Most Effective Way to Disinfect Before a Vaccination?”
Second place: Kimberly Tolsma and Shalayne Nagel, Avon Middle School, “Do Essential oils Repel Ants”
Third place: Avery Broughton, Ethan Clites, and Payton DeLange, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Solar Powered vs Battery Powered Cars”
Honorable mention: Raylee Fagerhaug, Marissa Dornbusch, and Kamryn Ochsher, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Eyes or Ears”
Certificates of Merit:
Harlee Heim and Carissa Scheel, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Eggs, Eggs, and More Eggs”
Alexandra Baumfalk and Madelynn Hhitema, Avon Middle School, “Does Age Affect Flexibility?”
Ridge Roduner and Blake Miller, Wessington Springs Middle Springs, “Don’t Get Cold Feet”
Tate Tolsma and Cody Keizer, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Which Brand of Popcorn Leaves the Least Unpopped Kernels?”
Special Awards
American Psychology Association
Quenton Walls, Wessington Springs Middle School, “FOMO”
Association for Women Geoscientists
Lauren Sees and Callie Berndt, Avon High School, “How Does Fertilizer Affect the Effluent of Drain Tile in Agricultural Fields?”
ASM International Foundation
Payton Brink, Plankinton High School, Navigational Support Cane
Avon School Science Award
Senior division: Evan Blaha, Avon High School, “Analyzing the Effect of Tomato Variety & Maturity Date on Fruit Yield”
Junior division: Quenton Walls, Wessington Springs Middle School, “FOMO”
Broadcom MASTERS SSP
Madilyn Mudder and Gracie Small, Avon Middle School, “What is the Most Effective Way to Disinfect Before a Vaccination?”
Kimberly Tolsma and Shalayne Nagel, Avon Middle School, “Do Essential Oils Repel Ants?”
Avery Broughton, Ethan Clites and Payton DeLange, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Solar Powered vs Battery Powered Cars”
Sarah Swier, Avon Middle School, “How Does Stress Affect the Body?”
Courtney Sees, Avon Middle School, “Gluteus Medius Strengthening Exercises Effect on Vertical Jump & Speed”
Daniel Soukup, Wagner Middle School, “Healthy Gum?”
Kendall Olawsky, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “The KOKOMO!”
Hayden Talsma, Avon Middle School, “How Fast Does Water Filter Through Tilled vs Non Tilled Soil?”
Sarah Poncelow, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Ice Breaker”
Dakota Wesleyan University Chemistry, Health and Other Sciences (CHAOS)
Jacob Maynard, Andes Central High School, “Planting of Tree Species in Shelter Belts Based on Transpiration Rates”
Dakota Wesleyan University, English Department
Sarah Swier, Avon Middle School, “How Does Stress Affect the Body?
Dakota Wesleyan University, Mathematics Department
Cassie Voigt, Avon High School, “What is the Effect of Amylase on the Hydrolysis of Starch Molecules?”
Dakota Wesleyan University, Nursing Department
Chaz James, Andes Central High School, “Addicted to Caffeine”
Excellence in Grammar Award
Saylor Lefers, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Salt and It's Effects on the Freezing Point of Water”
Sarah Swier, Avon Middle School, “How Does Stress Affect the Body?”
Troy Fastnacht, Garett Anson, and Udell Barber, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Calf Hauler”
Excellence in Prototype Development
Peyton Brink, Plankinton High School, “Navigational Support Cane”
GENIUS Olympiad
Makayla Kopp, Avon High School, “Which Stimuli Gets the Worm”
Samantha Brodeen, Avon High School, “Household Chemicals Effect of Mortality Rate of Zebra Mussels”
Intel Excellence in Computer Science
Jason DeJong and Spencer Berndt, Avon High School, “PacMan 2.0”
Kelty Ingenuity in Agriculture
Garrett Anson, Udell Barber, and Troy Fastnacht, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Calf Hauler”
Lemelson Early Inventor
Sarah Poncelow, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Ice Breaker”
Mitchell High School Science Club award
Best board design: Kya Kjeldgaard, Wagner Middle School, “Eggcellent Cakes”
Best original idea: Payton DeLange, Ethan Clites, and Avery Broughton, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Solar Powered vs. Batter Powered Cars”
Mu Alpha Theta
Cassie Voigt, Avon High School, “What is the Effect of Amylase on the Hydrolysis of Starch Molecules?”
NABT (National Association for Biology Teachers)
Annamarie Medicine Horn, Andes Central High School, “Death Ray: Duration of Ultraviolet Exposure Kills Bacteria”
Chaz James, Andes Central High School, “Addicted to Caffeine?”
Cora Heidinger, Josie Bartelt, and Megan Strid, Corsica-Stickney High School, “How Much DNA is in a Cell?”
Peyton Brink, Plankinton High School, “Navigational Support Cane”
NASA Earth System Science
Jacob Maynard, Andes Central High School, “Planting of Tree Species in Shelter Belts Raised on Transpiration Rates”
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration)
Katie Gretschmann, Avon Middle School, “When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”
Richoh Americas
McKenna Kocmich and Grace Vanderlei, Avon Middle School, “A Concrete Plan for Recycling”
Society For In Vitro Biology
Annamarie Medicine Horn, Andes Central High School, “Death Ray: Duration of ultraviolet Exposure Kills Bacteria”
South Dakota Academy of Science
Megan Gretschmann, Avon Middle School, “What Whitening Toothpaste Works the Best?”
McKenna Kocmich and Grace Vanderlei, Avon Middle School, “A Concrete Plan for Recycling”
Kimberly Tolsma and Shalayne Nagel, Avon Middle School, “Do Essential Oils Repel Ants?”
Madilyn Mudder and Gracie Small, Avon Middle School, “What is the Most Effective Way to Disinfect Before a Vaccination?”
MaKayla Kopp, Avon High School, “Which Stimuli Gets the Worm?”
Samantha Brodeen, Avon High School, “Household Chemical Effect on Mortality Rate of Zebra Mussels”
Justin Ferwerda, Avon High School, “The Effect of Fertilizer on Soybean Yields”
Evan Blaha, Avon High School, “Analyzing the Effect of Tomato Variety & Maturity Date on Fruit Yield”
Sanford PROMISE Award for Biomedical Research
Chaz James, Andes Central High School, “Addicted to Caffeine?”
South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Hanah Long, Avon High School, “How Does Temperature Affect the Efficiency of a Glow Stick?”
South Dakota Science Teachers Association
Kimberly Tolsma and Shalayne Nagel, Avon Middle School, “Do Essential Oils Repel Ants?”
South Dakota Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Cassie Voigt, Avon High School, “What is the Effect of Amylase on the Hydrolysis of Starch Molecules?”
South Dakota Veterinary Medical Alliance
Harlee Heim and Carissa Scheel, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Eggs, Eggs, and more Eggs”
Thelen Laboratory Research
Senior division: Samantha Brodeen, Avon High School, “Household Chemicals Effect on Mortality Rate of Zebra Mussels?”
Junior division: Daniel Soukup, Wagner Middle School, “Healthy Gum”
United States Army Recruiting Center
First place: Sarah Swier, Avon Middle School, “How Does Stress Affect the Body?”
Second place: Lincoln Thury, Avon High School, “Calculate the Most Effective Blend of Winter Diesel Fuel”
Third place: Evan Blaha, Avon High School, “Analyzing the Effects of Tomato Variety and Maturity Date on Fruit Yield”
Certificates of Merit:
Hanah Long, Avon High School, “How does Temperature Effect the Efficiency of a Glow Stick?”
Trever Bartelt, Corbin VanZee, and Caleb Krogstad, Corsica-Stickney High School, “Fuel by Fire”
Jared Mudder, Avon High School, “Get the Lead Out”
Bethany Nixon and Kristen Namminga, Avon High School, “From Bacteria to Battery”
McKenna Kocmich and Grace Vanderlei, Avon Middle School, “A Concrete Plan for Recycling”
Peyton Brink, Plankinton High School, “Navigational Support Cane”
Avery Broughton, Ethan Clites, and Payton DeLange, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Solar Powered vs Battery Powered Cars”
Baylee Johnson, Keeva Weddell, and Lucy Winkler, Andes Central High School, “Water Filtration”
Shona Kocer, Wagner Middle School, “Does Running Improve Memory?”
Emily Robertson and Ava Podzimek, Wagner Middle School, “Distracted Drivers”
Hayden Talma, Avon Middle School, “How Fast Does Water Filter Through Tilled vs. Non-Tilled, Soil”
Sarah Poncelow, Wessington Springs Middle School, “Ice Breaker”
Porter Walz and Bryce Kopfmann, Wessington Springs High School, “Tesla Coil”
Wiliam Bruckner, Wessington Springs Middle School, “What Materials Block a WiFi Signal?”
Saylor Lefers, Corsica-Stickney Middle School, “Salt and its Effects on the Freezing Point of Water”
Kali Maynard, Andes Central High School, “Crushin' It”
Caleb Wallinga, Avon Middle School, “Effecting Bean Germination and Growth”
Makayla Kopp, Avon High School, “Which Stimuli Gets the Worm?”
Kimberly Tolsma and Salayne Nagel, Avon Middle School, “Do Essential Oils Repel Ants?”
Madilyn Mudder and Gracie Small, Avon Middle School, “What is the Most Effective Way to Disinfect Before a Vaccination?”
United States Metric Association
Trent Raysby and Austin Zimmerman, Avon High School, “Efficiency of Flocculation in Water Treatment Plants”
Water Environment Federation and BY Water of Tabor
Alaina Bairey, Chamberlain High School, “How Does Tilling Affect Soil Structure?”
Yale Science and Engineering Association, Inc.
Cassie Voigt, Avon High School, “What is the Effect of Amylase on the Hydrolysis of Starch Molecules?”