Willow Academy girls qualify for regional science fair

The Willows Academy in Des Plaines announced that 24 students in seventh and eighth grade qualified to compete in the North Suburban Regional Science Fair.

To reach the regional fair, the girls first had to present their projects at the academy’s science fair on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

At the fair, girls in grades six-eight presented their projects and findings to a team of judges, made up of volunteers with careers in science. The projects were scored according to the standards of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science.

That evening, the girls were on hand to present their projects to family, friends and interested members of the community. The middle school girls had spent many weeks preparing their science fair projects for that competition.

“The science fair project process is important to the girls’ developing understanding of scientific concepts as well as the scientific method, and provides the girls with an excellent opportunity to evaluate project options, plan a long-term project, document their activities, and then present their findings through a variety of media,” said Lindsay Brubaker, middle school science teacher and science fair coordinator at the Willows Academy.

“It is very rewarding for the girls to present and discuss their project with a professional in a scientific field, and we are grateful to all of our volunteers for contributing to this educational experience,” she said. “The girls are looking forward to Regionals and are working hard on their presentations.”

At the Award Ceremony, these 10 top-scoring projects and Best in Show Awards were recognized:

First Place: “How Color Affects Light Absorption,” by Sophie Petros, of Mundelein.

Second Place” “Going Green Beans,” by Julie Snitzer, of Arlington Heights.

Third Place: “Soak Up The Sun,” by Maura Walsh, of Arlington Heights

Fourth Place: “The Stress of Water,” by Lauren Yoo, of Des Plaines

Fifth Place: “Growing Out of Hand,” by Genesis Chavez, of Wauconda

Sixth Place: “Battle of the Bleaches,” by Marta Brown, of Downers Grove

Seventh Place: “Germination Termination,” by Jessie Calderisi, of Rolling Meadows

Eighth Place: “Chill With Solutes,” by Veronica Pitt-Payne, of Northlake

Ninth Place: “Bright Light,” by Angela Pantell, of Mount Prospect

Tenth Place: “Pressure Power,” by Shannon Wagner, of Elmhurst

Best in Show Poster: Sophie Petros

Best in Show Paper: Mandy Mongoven, of Arlington Heights

Most Creative Project Ideas: Molly Petros, of Chicago; Maura Walsh; Sophie Petros; Mandy Mongoven; Louisa Cross, of Woodstock

The Willows Academy is a college prep, Catholic school for girls in grades six-12, founded in 1974.

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