Local Students Participate and Receive Awards in the Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair

This spring, six local students took part in the Arkansas Valley Regional Science Fair and were then selected to participate in the Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair April 13 through 15. The Colorado State Science Fair, Inc. honors excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; providing opportunities for students from all regions of the state to create and present their research in environments that nurture interest in science and technology; promoting professional skills, high ethical standards, diversity and continuing intellectual development.

The students who attended and competed in CSEF are:

1. Bryce Bickel and Drake Coffield-Bamber
2. Adam Ouattara
3. Terra McClure
4. Zoey Montoya & Everett Ediger

In the Senior Division Animal Sciences category two students from La Junta Jr/Sr High came in second place. Zoey Montoya 10th grade and Everett Ediger 11th grade. Title: “How Qualities of Soil Affect Where Aphonopelma Hentzi Burrows in the Colorado Grassland.” They also were awarded the Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology, Agricultural Biology Award. They received $100, and a certificate.

A Poster Art Contest was also held, Zoey Montoya, 10th grade student at La Junta Jr/Sr High School received $100 and a certificate.

In the Junior Division of Biomedical & Health Sciences Terra McClure, 7th grade student at Rocky Ford Jr/Sr High School received an Honorable Mention for her project, Title: “Oh Snap!” She was also awarded the Elizabeth Helen Blackburn, Pioneer of Science Award, received $50, a certificate, and a poster of pioneer scientist. Additionally, she won the Morrow Family, Dental & Forensics Award for her project.

Adam Ouattara, 7th grade student at La Junta Jr/Sr High School won the Wangari Muta Maathai, Pioneer of Science Award, received $50, a certificate and a poster of pioneer scientists. He also won the Colorado-Wyoming Society of American Foresters, Excellence in Forestry Research Award which earned him $200 and a certificate for his project “Fires in the Comanche Grasslands.”

For questions, contact Warren McClure, Otero College Science Faculty, at warren.mcclure@otero.edu.