Rose State College Continues to STEM Out to Local Schools Hosting 2017 Science Fair Published March 20, 2017

Midwest City, Okla. – There was Bach Bach Bach Beethoven, Hand Sanitizer vs. Hand Soap and Mind Blow just to name a few, as students from metro area schools gathered to showcase their love of STEM at the 2017 Rose State College Science Fair on March 9th.  For more than 25 years the Science and Math Department at Rose State has hosted this event.

The Rose State College Science Fair provides the opportunity for students in 3^rd-8^th grade to apply scientific methods, conduct research and present science fair projects.  Students focus on the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  Over 100 students participated in this year’s event in 13 categories from Bishop John Carroll, Choctaw Middle School, Rollingwood Elementary and St. Philip Neri.  The projects were judged by a volunteer panel from Rose State College, OSU-OKC and Tinker Air Force Base.  Judging took place most of the day and the students enthusiastically attended an awards ceremony in the HP Atkinson Theater after the completion of judging where they received medals and trophies for their accomplishments.

Rebecca Burkala, a Rose State College Mathematics Professor, has been a part of the science fair for the last 10 years.  “The science fair is a great way to get student involved with and excited about STEM.  This year’s fair was a huge success”, said Burkala.  She also mentioned the awards ceremony is her favorite part, “especially watching how excited the students get when they or their friends win, it gets me every time.”

Taylor Kellert, a fifth grader from Rollingwood Elementary won first place in the Behavioral Science Division.  Her project titled “Mind Blow” was conducted to see if students tested better with or without gum.  After she received her award she was asked what she thought about the science fair, Taylor said, “It was awesome! I’m still shaking.” She said she was surprised and didn’t expect to win but that she loves science, more than gum, it is her favorite subject.

The anticipation and excitement shown by all participants when announcing the top placing school was priceless.  St. Philip Neri walked away with the trophy winning the 2017 Rose State College Science Fair award for Top Overall School.