Catholic Schools excel at Regional Science Fair; SARSEF names SEAS 'Top School'

By Carissa Krautscheid

In March, students across the Diocese presented their scientific research at the annual SARSEF Regional Science Fair. Catholic schools were well represented: 11 schools featuring 47 projects. Of these, an impressive 82 percent were awarded top prizes! St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Yuma won an outstanding 19 grand prizes! Several of the Catholic school students listed below qualify to compete at the State and National levels.

“The annual SARSEF Science Fair is a prestigious STEM competition that attracts students from Yuma to Tucson, from Casa Grande to Bisbee, from the San Carlos Reservation to the Tohono O’odham and everywhere in between,” said Kelly Francis, who teaches seventh and eighth grade math and 3D design and printing at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) Catholic School in Tucson. Francis has been influential in the school’s integration of 3D printing and design courses for middle school students. “This year, over 6,500 students from 140 schools competed with over 1,500 projects, and more than $100,000 in awards, scholarships, and prizes were bestowed on Southern Arizona’s fine young researchers, analysts, and experimenters for their brilliant scientific inquiry.”

In addition, SARSEF named St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School a top middle school in Southern Arizona!

“This incredible honor comes with a $500 cash prize for our science program, and a very large trophy to commemorate our students’ great achievements and that of their wonderful science teacher, Mrs. San Julian!” said Francis. “This award is a testament to all the hard work that she, parent volunteers, and students put into bringing science and faith together every day at SEAS. We are so grateful to God for all of our kids and teachers who make our school what it is. At SEAS, students are encouraged to learn about the mysteries of God’s amazing creation. Science, as an inquiry into those mysteries, is an integral part of our studies.”

Congratulations to the following schools and students for their innovation and dedication to pursuing truth through scientific research:

First Place

• Animal Kingdom: “The Striped Bug Repellent” by Dawson, 2nd grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Applied Technology: “Bristles, Bots, and Baskets” by Mrs. Penning’s 2nd grade class at Sts. Peter and Paul
• Energy and Change: “Perfect Packaging” by Luciana, 5th grade at St. Joseph
• Energy and Change: “Spinning for Power” by Justin, 7th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
• Energy and Change: “The Curls in Your Hair” by Kimberly, 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Food and Nutrition: “Tea Time” by Madeleine, 7th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Second Place

• Animal Kingdom: “Enlightened Equitation” by Makayla, 8th grade at Our Mother of Sorrows
• Animal Kingdom: “Wake Up and Stay Up” by Ms. Reichling’s 4th grade class at Immaculate Heart Elementary School
• Animal Kingdom: Chickens and Color Preference” by Palmer, 3rd grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Applied Technology: “Which String Has the Greatest Tensile Strength?” by Amilya, 5th grade at St. Joseph
• Energy and Change: “Chilling My Cola” by Ms. Miller’s 3rd grade class at St. Joseph
• Energy and Change: “The Solution to Sharpie” by Lilly, 5th grade at Immaculate Heart Elementary School
• Physics and Astronomy: “Boat Hull Effect on Friction Drag” at Joe, 6th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
• Physics and Astronomy: How Much Biomass Grows in Different Solutions – Adrian, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Plant Science: “The Battle of Water and Soil” by Kylie, 10th grade at Yuma Catholic High School
• Plants and the Environment: Fuel on Fire” by Ansley, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• The Unseen World: “Where does the UV Light Really Shine?” by Elizabeth, 7th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Third Place

• Animal Kingdom: “‘Doe’ Animals Recognize and ‘Ram’ember ‘Ewe’?” by Gaida, 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Animal Kingdom: “Stop that Belly Achin’” by Simone, 6th grade at St. Cyril of Alexandria
• Animal Kingdom: “Which subject brings up people’s heart rate level the most?” by Alyssa, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Energy and Change: “Fabric Up in Flames” by Vania, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Energy and Change: “How Does Color Absorb Heat?” by Katelynn, 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Energy and Change: “Perfect Spheres in Reverse or Direct Spherification?” by Kylee, 8th grade at St. Joseph
• Energy and Change: “Popping Boba Coming Up!” by Ramon, 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Energy and Change: “Shaping the Future” by Lilyanna, 6th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
• Food and Nutrition: “Do the colors of food affect their flavor? ” by Drew, 6th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Food and Nutrition: “Sweet & Slick” by Emma, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Physics and Astronomy: “Making a Strong Electromagnet” by Grace, 8th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
• Physics and Astronomy: “No More Balls!” by Helena, 5th grade at Immaculate Heart Elementary School
• Plants and the Environment: “Fertilizer on Mars” by Ms. Penning’s 2nd grade class at Sts. Peter and Paul
• Plants and the Environment: “Growing Plants in Different Colored Lights” by Maria, 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Plants and the Environment: “How Fast Can You Grow!” by Arlette, 6th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Plants and the Environment: “How much bacteria does your produce have?” by Kelsie, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• Plants and the Environment: “The Way of H2O” by Pierce, 6th grade at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
• Plants and the Environment: “Worms Eat Plastic” by Chloe, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• The Unseen World: “Hand Washing vs. Hand Sanitizer” by Adam, 6th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• The Unseen World: “What Color Will Affect the Bacterial Growth the Most?” by Sofia, 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi
• The Unseen World: “Which Makeup Cleaner Works Best?” by Kynzee, 8th grade at St. Francis of Assisi