Emerald Coast Times

County of Okaloosa recently issued the following announcement.

Congratulation to the students who competed at the State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) of Florida last week in Lakeland, Florida. The SSEF features a three-day display of over 900 science project exhibits prepared by aspiring scientists and engineers in grades six through twelve. Designed to recognize scientific talent in young people, the SSEF focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) introduced students to organized research, and provides teachers a forum for the exchange of ideas.During the event, students share their ideas with one another, increase personal development in scientific and technological areas, gain self-confidence in problem-solving skills, and participate in educational field trips and tours of local areas of interest.

Participating area students had to first complete the intense Safety and Display process successfully before qualifying to compete in the State Science Fair competition. Students were then treated to a STEM field trip to iFLY where students learned about wind tunnels and the dynamics of flight, watched demonstrations, completed an experiment, and then flew in the wind tunnels.

“These students worked very hard and were a fantastic group,” said Jennifer Cook, Ruckel Middle School Science Teacher, and Director of the Regional Science Fair. “I'm so proud of them – 13 out of 19 projects were recognized in some way. In many cases, they were competing against students who complete their research and projects inside of research classes and internships at their schools.”

• Adeline Berte – Niceville High School – Category Recognition
• Kathryn Conlan – STEMM Academy – Category Recognition
• Drew Cook – Ruckel Middle School
• Sydney Foggo – Ruckel Middle School
• Ronald Gurney – Niceville High School – Special Award (cash - $200)
• Olivia Hodapp – STEMM Academy – Category Honorable Mention
• Londyn Lewis – Ruckel Middle School
• Kai Loux – Ruckel Middle School – Category 4th
• Mori McCain and Elizabeth Pruitt – Rocky Bayou Christian School
• Aurora Mendenall – Niceville High School – Category Recognition
• Sierra Neitzki – STEMM Academy – Special Award ($25) and Category Recognition
• Zoe Orange – Paxton High School – Category 4th
• Zachary Ott – Ruckel Middle School – Category 3rd
• Caitlin Scroggs – Ruckel Middle School – Category 3rd
• Colin Smith – Ruckel Middle School – Special Award (cash - $50)
• Julie Stearman – Ruckel Middle School
• Elizabeth Teater – Ruckel Middle School – Category 3rd
• Annaliese Thompson – Niceville High School – Special Award (cash - $25)
• Holly Thompson – South Walton High School

Aurora Mendenall, Niceville High School, and Zoe Orange, Paxton High School, were also interviewed by National Geographic for a documentary called "The Road to ISF (International Science and Engineering Fair).”

Original source can be found here