Stories behind the science

The question hung like a wet blanket, heavy and mentally suffocating.

"What was your research hypothesis?"

Research hypothesis? Research hypothesis...

In her mind, 13-year-old Caylee Wheeler ran through all the possible answers.

Over the past five months, the Cape Christian School student prepared for this moment.

She spent three hours working on a colorful backdrop and five hours writing a report. She carefully documented scientific evidence. She'd even made a hypothesis.

But the bright red capital letters on the white name tag of the questioner were too distracting: J-U-D-G-E.

The title said it all.

Across the Show Me Center's concrete floor, 307 other junior high and high school students participating in the 2006 Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair underwent a similar strain Tuesday afternoon each time a J-U-D-G-E approached.

Urgent whispers of "Here comes one" and "Shhhh, there's a judge" floated about.

Through it all, fellow Cape Christian School student Jon Morrow replayed the encouraging words of their teacher, Tamara Hawkins: "What makes a project different is you."

It was good advice, thought 13-year-old Morrow, looking around at the rows of science projects. There were others that dealt with erosion and soil conservation issues, similar to his project, titled "Should we worry about soil erosion?"

Morrow doesn't want to be a conservationist when he grows up. He doesn't want to be a botanist, and most of all he doesn't want to be a farmer -- the chosen profession of most in his family.

The laments about soil erosion from cousins and uncles was enough to capture the Oran, Mo., seventh-grader's attention though, inspiring him to research the erodability of Missouri soil versus soil from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.

Now, amidst the chatter of 300 other nervous students, he explained his project to the two judges interviewing students in his project category.

His answers came easily enough. Morrow had spent time practicing in front of the mirror in his bedroom, asking himself questions like "How did I come up with this project?" and "Was it difficult" and "If so, how?"

Then he answered himself. All of that came in handy as the judges made their way around the rows of projects, asking questions about execution of the experiment and then secretly jotting notes behind the cover of clipboards. He told them that his studies indicated that Indiana had the least erosive soil.

Finally, the last judge departed with a last comment about the impressiveness of Morrow's project. The experience was almost over.

"I'm a little shakey," he said. "I've never been a good speaker."

On the other side of the Show-Me Center, Caylee Wheeler recalled what her hypothesis was.

Her science fair experiment tested what types of treats dogs preferred -- milk bones, carrots or K-9 Carry Outs. A fairly easy idea, unless you spent the better part of your life terrified of dogs.

Wheeler doesn't remember exactly what initiated her phobia, but she has clear memories of dashing from rooms whenever a dog entered. She finally conquered her fear last year, and that inspired her to test the dog treats on her teacher's three canines.

She didn't have an opportunity to explain all of that to her judges though.

The second judge followed on the heels of the first, and started the interview by saying: Tell me what you did and why you did it.

"Well..." said Wheeler, and set off on an explanation of dog treat preferences, ending with the conclusion that most dogs don't seem to care for carrots. But the seemed to like the K-9 Carry Outs over the milkbones.

Then the judge, a college professor, began talking about counter balances and alternate settings.

"That was hard. What did all that mean?" Wheeler asked a classmate when the judge left.

The classmate shrugged.

By 4:30 p.m.-- and hour and a half after the judging ended -- Wheeler was finally able to relax again.

"When it was finally done, I could breathe again," she said.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128

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Science fair award winners

ISEF Winners

~ The top two senior division exhibits receive an all-expense paid trip to Indianapolis to compete in the 57th International Science and Engineering Fair.

Recipients:

1) Alex Heeb, 9th grade, Chaffee Home School District

2) Anna McReynolds, 10th grade, Sikeston High School

Alternate: Megan McKay, 11th Grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

Presentation of Senior Division Winners

~ Senior Behavioral and Medical Sciences

3rd - Summer Payne and Kristin Wilson, 12th grade, Risco R-II

2nd - Rachel Sedgwick and Jessica Ruch, 10th grade, Oak Ridge R-6

1st - Katelynn Austin, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

~ Senior Biochemistry

3rd - Rita Stanley, 9th grade, Valle Catholic High School

2nd - Amanda Hargraves, 10th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

1st - Alex Heeb, 9th grade, Chaffee Home School District

~ Senior Biology

3rd - Caroline Murray, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

2nd - Alli Harper, 10th grade, Sikeston High

1st - Megan McKay, 11th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

~ Senior Chemistry

3rd - Kortney Cook, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

2nd -- Kelsey Murphy and Michael Davis, 9th grade, Risco R-II

1st -- Clinton Boswell, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

~ Senior Environmental Sciences

3rd - Brittany Meredith, 10th grade, Sikeston High

2nd -- Adam Martin, 10th grade, Sikeston High

1st -- Anna McReynolds, 10th grade, Sikeston High School

~ Senior Engineering and Physics

3rd - Casey Palmer, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

2nd -- Margaret Buchheit and Mandy Tucker, 10th grade, oak Ridge R-6

1st -- Ricky McCord and Daryl Vise, 11th grade, Risco R-II

Presentation of Junior Division Winners

~ Junior Behavioral and Social Sciences

3rd -Lance Essner, 7th grade, St. Denis School

2nd - Liam Maher, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

1st -Tyler Counts and Lacey Merz, 7th grade, Farmington Middle School

~ Junior Biochemistry

3rd - Christopher Dedert, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

Erika Cantoni, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

2nd - Katie Walton, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

1st -Becca Bowles and Kathy Koppeis, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Chris Stuart, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

~ Junior Botany

3rd- Morgan Kirkpatrick, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

2nd - George DuMontier and Shelby Raper, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Jon Morrow, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

Hillary Caldwell, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

Taylor Thompson, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

1st - Lauren Beavers and Lauren Womack, 7th grade, Farmington Middle

~ Junior Chemistry

3rd - Joshua Strait, 7th grade, Farmington Middle School

Jill Irvin, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Megan Essner and Megan Glastetter, 8th grade, Kelso C-7

Kaitlin Glastetter and Haley Glastetter, 7th grade, Kelso C-7

Brittany Glastetter and Brandi Kern, 7th grade, Kelso C-7

2nd - Kayla Essner and Mary Beusssink, 8th grade, St. Denis School

Alex Cofer and Dillon Lustick, 7th grade, Farmington Middle School

Neely Tetley, 8th grade, Kelso C-7

Kelsey Blue, 8th grade, Kelso C-7

Jamie Scholz, 7th grade, St. Joseph School

Grant Eugy, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

1st -Spencer Lovig, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

Jonathan Little, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

~ Junior Earth and Space Science

2nd - Caroline martin, 7th grade, Sikeston Middle School

Hannah Kean, 7th grade, Sikeston Middle School

1st -Shelby Buckley and Haley Stroup, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Taylor Essner, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

~ Junior Engineering

3rd - Emily Messmer, 8th grade, St. Joseph School

Megan Boswell, 8th grade, Sikeston Junior High School

Caitlin Mikels, 8th grade, Sikeston Junior High School

2nd - Travis Bueter, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

1st - Abigale Berry and Lauren Choate, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

~ Junior Environmental Science

3rd - Aaron Hahn, 8th grade, Nell Holcomb R-IV

2nd - Lauren Henson and Erin Pierce, 8th grade, Caruthersville Middle

1st - Wyatt Walls, 8th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

~ Junior Medicine & Health

3rd - Katie Bey, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

2nd - Christen Limbaugh, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

1st - William Brost, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

~ Junior Microbiology

2nd - Lauren Seiler, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Abby Horrell, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

1st - Ashten Hesselrode, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

~ Junior Physics

3rd - Danielle Hughes and Erin St. Gemme, 7th grade, Park Hills Central Middle

Eric Marler and Aaron Tyree, 7th grade, Park Hills Central Middle School

Michael Webb, 7th grade, St. Denis School

Jane Morrill, 8th grade, St. Joseph School

Chelsey Schaefer, 8th grade, St. Joseph School

2nd - Justine Hulshof, 8th grade, St. Denis School

Danielle Dock, 8th grade, St. Denis School

Breckin Ridings and Sam Harris, 7th grade, Park Hills Central Middle School

Trace Janota, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

Darin Dicus, 8th grade, Sikeston Junior High School

1st -Kristen Oberlohr, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

Jacob Alsup, 7th grade, Sikeston Middle School

Michaela Cobb, 7th grade, St. Joseph School

~ Junior Zoology

2nd - Lauren Goehring, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

1st - Kelli Woodfin, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Jack Mocherman, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

Best Experiment Study

Recipients:

Becca Bowles and Kathy Koppeis, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

Chris Stuart, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

Katie Walton, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Lauren Beavers and Lauren Womack, 7th grade, Farmington Middle

George DuMontier and Shelby Raper, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Spencer Lovig, 7th grade, Cape Christian School

Jonathan Little, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Kayla Essner and Mary Beussink, 8th grade, St. Denis School

Wyatt Walls, 8th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

William Brost, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Ashten Hesselrode, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Jacob Alsup, 7th grade, Sikeston Middle School

Michaela Cobb, 7th grade, St. Joseph

Kelli Woodfin, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Jack Mocherman, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School

Best Group Exhibit

Recipients: Abigale Berry and Lauren Choate, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Best Invention

Recipient: Eric Marler and Aaron Tyree, 7th grade, Park Hills Central Middle School

Best Model Study

Recipient: Abigale Berry and Lauren Choate, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Best Observation Study

Recipient: Tyler Counts and Lacey merz, 7th grade, Farmington Middle School

Overall Junior Life Science

Recipient: Tyler Counts and Lacey merz, 7th grade, Farmington Middle

Overall Junior Physical Science

Recipient: Michaela Cobb, 7th grade, St. Joseph

Discovery Award

Recipients:

Tyler Counts and Lacey Merz, 7th grade, Farmington Middle

Becca Bowles and Kathy Koppeis, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Chris Stuart, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Katie Walton, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Lauren Beavers and Lauren Womack, 7th grade, Farmington Middle

George DuMontier and Shelby Raper, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Jon Morrow, 7th grade, Cape Christian

Hillary Caldwell, 7th grade, Cape Christian

Spencer Lovig, 7th grade, Cape Christian

Kayla Essner and Mary Beussink, 8th grade, St. Denis

Jonathan Little, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Abigale Berry and Lauren Choate, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

Wyatt Walls, 8th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

William Brost, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Ashten Hesselrode, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Jacob Alsup, 7th grade, Sikeston Middle School

Michaela Cobb, 7th grade, St. Joseph

Kelli Woodfin, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Jack Mocherman, 8th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Top Eighth Grade student

Recipient:

Wyatt Walls, 8th grade, South Pemiscot

Ameren UE

Recipient: Kevin Dittlinger and Sawyer Elfrink, 7th grade, St. Denis School, Kelso

American Chemical Society

Recipients:

Junior Biochemistry: Becca Bowles and Kathy Koppeis, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

Junior Chemistry: Jonathan Little, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul School, Cape Girardeau

Senior Biochemistry: Alex Heeb, 9th grade, Chaffee Home School District

Senior Chemistry: Clinton Boswell, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

The American Psychological Association And Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools

Recipient: Katelynn Austin, 9th grade, Sikeston Public School

ASM International Foundation

Recipient: Abigale Berry and Lauren Choate, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

Cape Girardeau Area Engineers Club

Recipient:

Junior- Travis Bueter, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Senior - Ricky McCord and Daryl Vise, 11th grade, Risco R-II

Herbert Hoover Young Engineer Award

Recipient: Ricky McCord and Daryl Vise, 11th grade, Risco R-II, Risco

International Society for Optical Engineering

Recipient: William Brost (7th grade) St. Vincent de Paul, Cape Girardeau

Joy Award - Gift Bag (from the Hathaways)

Recipient:

1. Brandon Bennett, 8th grade, Risco R-II

2. Kris Walker, 7th grade, Risco R_II

3. Shayna Rodgers and Kara Allen, 7th grade, Risco R-II

4. Adam Kimball, 10th grade, Sikeston High School

Montgomery Bank

Senior - Alex Heeb, 9th grade, Chaffee Home School District

Junior - Wyatt Walls, 8th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

MU Alpha Theta

Recipient: Alex Heeb, 9th grade, Chaffee Home School District

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Recipient: Anna McReynolds, 10th grade, Sikeston High school

National Society of Professional Engineers

Recipient: Travis Bueter, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Ricoh Sustainable Development Award

Recipient: Anna McReynolds, 10th grade, Sikeston High School

Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau

Recipient: William Brost, 7th grade, St. Vincent de Paul

Southeast Missouri Dental Society

Recipients:

Junior - Wyatt Walls (8th grade), South Pemiscot, Steele

Senior - Alex Heeb (9th grade), Chaffee Home School District

U.S. Air Force

Recipients:

1. Wyatt Walls, 8th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele

2. Lauren Henson and Erin Pierce, 8th grade, Caruthersville Middle

3. Kelly Petersen and Lisa Rice, 7th grade, Farmington Middle

4. Shelby Buckely and Haley Stroup, 8th grade, Farmington Middle

U.S. Army

Recipients:

Engineering -- Jordi Ferrell, 10th grade, Sikeston High

Environmental Science -- Anna McReynolds, 10th grade, Sikeston High

(may include projects in Earth and Space or Environmental Sciences)

Mathematics/Computer Science -- Alex Heeb, 9th grade, Chaffee Home

Life Sciences - Alli Harper, 10th grade, Sikeston High (may include projects in Behavioral and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Microbiology, Zoology, or Botany)

Physical Sciences -- Megan McKay, 11th grade, South Pemiscot, Steele (may include projects in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Physics)

~ From these five winners above (bronze medallion) --

Most outstanding - Megan McKay, 11th grade, South Pemiscot

U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps

Recipients:

Junior Participant -- Darien Black and Jacob Malugen, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

Junior Participant -- Kyle Bauche and Andrew King, 7th grade, Farmington Middle School

Junior Participant -- Abigale Berry and Lauren Choate, 8th grade, Farmington Middle School

Junior Participant -- Travis Bueter, 8th grade, Leopold R-III

Senior Participant -- Ricky McCord and Daryl Vise, 11th grade, Risco R-II

Senior Participant -- Jeffery Walker and Derek Fowler, 10th grade, Risco R-II

U.S. Metric Association

Recipient: Kelly Petersen and Lisa Rice (7th grade), Farmington Middle School

U.S. Public Health Service

Recipient: Rachel Sedgwick and Jessica Ruch, 10th grade, Oak Ridge R-6

Water Environment Federation

Recipient: Jesse Roberts, 10th grade, Sikeston High School

Yale Science and Engineering Association

Recipient: Rita Stanley, 9th grade, Valle Catholic High School