S.T.E.M. Stars
The annual S.T.E.M. fair is sponsored by Hyde County 4-H, and director Natalie Wayne brought 4 judges from the mainland to see the projects at Ocracoke School. The judges look for creativity, effectiveness, and scientific content in the students' work. Each student presented his or her project to a judge, and answered questions on Wednesday morning, and the awards were announced Wednesday afternoon in a school assembly for parents and the Ocracoke community. There were 90 projects in total on display, and the kids were happy to share their knowledge with family and friends.
"I know it's a lot of hard work for parents and teachers," Natalie said. "But we are so excited to come here each year and see the projects, and the students are excited to show us what they've learned."
1st through 4th grade students enter in the Cloverbud category and get participation ribbons. 5th grade–High School enter in the competitive division. Out of 58 competitive projects the winners are (drum roll please...):
5th grade: 1st place, Katie Kinnion; 2nd place, Max Elicker; 3rd place, Iris McClain
6th grade: 1st place, Julian Bennink; 2nd place, Jackson Strange; 3rd place, Brandt O'Neal
7th/8th grade: 1st place, Dylan Esham; 2nd place Hannah Belch; 3rd place, Russell Stevens
High School: 1st place, Mac Kalna; 2nd place, Kalai Samick and Cody Pinter; 3rd place, Sam Evans and Colby Austin
In addition to the First, Second, and Third place ribbons, the following awards were presented:
Best Artistic Project: Katie Kinnion; Most Creative, Kalai Samick and Cody Pinter; Best in Show, Mac Kalna
The 3rd and 4th graders also participated in the poster contest sponsored by Hyde Soil & Water Conservation District. The students were asked to create a title and slogan for a poster sharing the message "We all live in a watershed."
3rd grade winners were: 1st place, Finn Kattenburg; 2nd place, Landon Fuller; 3rd place, Nicholas Cole
4th grade winners were: 1st place, Maren Donlon; 2nd place, Alyssa Bryan; 3rd place, Emilia Jordan.
