When Ariana Garcia was asked to participate in Highpoint School’s second annual Science Extravaganza, she was a little apprehensive because science isn’t her favorite subject. History is. But over the last few weeks, she and more than a dozen middle and high school students have gotten into the spirit of science, conceptualizing ideas, drafting hypotheses and crafting unforgettable experiments.
“I never thought I would like science and all of these experiments,” said Garcia, a junior from Deer Park Independent School District. “When they told us that someone would be judging our projects, I got super nervous, but I’m having fun.”
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he science fair in April showcased student inventions. Projects varied by grade level, with middle schoolers focusing on assembling items like walkie-talkies, music boxes or carnival games to learn how they work. High school students focused on the science behind building items like functional sailboats, windmills or solar ovens.
“I hypothesized that my solar oven would take 30 to 35 minutes to melt my smores, but I learned the power and heat of the sun is so high,” said Garcia. “I also realized that in smaller spaces, the heat is trapped faster, that’s why it only took 10 minutes to melt.”
HCDE’s Special Schools leaders and community members judged each station, while students shared what they learned.
“I don’t think they realize how much science plays a part in their lives, but with the Science Fair, they can start piecing some of those things together,” said Xavier Montgomery, Highpoint’s high school science teacher. “I’m very proud of our students. They’ve overcome their fears of talking to the judges, tried new things, and I just love to see all their successful projects and the pride they have for them.”
This year, campus leaders took the event to the next level by inviting several community partners to exhibit at a school general assembly, offering students the opportunity to rotate through the booths. Teacher Creature brought a kangaroo and various reptiles for students to engage with while Rice University representatives provided interactive chemical demonstrations and Sheldon Lake State Park brought pelts and skulls of various deer and park wildlife. Highpoint staff also engaged students in forensic analysis, building blocks and butter-making stations.
“Honestly, I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the science fair and check out all the tables they had today,” Garcia said. “I would definitely love to do something like this again because I’ve learned so much.”