Larsen students make their mark at state science, math competition

Larsen Middle School students delivered a winning streak after gaining several high scores at the Regional Illinois Junior Academy of Science Science Fair in March and the IJAS State Competition last month.

At regionals, two students, Nereida Rosas and Kylie Graves, received "Best in Category."

The Elgin Area School District U-46 students were selected as part of the top 10 percent of middle school participants in science fairs nationwide, to participate in Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology, and Engineering Rising Stars), which inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Kush Patel received an award from the Department of Naval Research/Technology, Mathematics & Engineering for his exemplary Junior Division Project.

"We are pleased to see our students stand out among their peers at the state level, and we're confident their extensive mastery of science in middle school will translate into academic success in high school and beyond," said Superintendent José M. Torres.

Fifteen seventh- and eighth-grade students with the top 11 projects from Larsen Middle School's fifth annual SWAS (School within a School) Science Fair advanced to the Regional Science Fair at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

The three projects that advanced from the regional to the state competition were:

• Kylie Graves with, "How does the type of insulating material affect the temperature as water cools?"

• Nereida Rosas with, "How does the type of building insulation affect the cooling temperature?"

• Camberlei Lauff and Madeline Schaefer with, "How does the brand of plastic wrap affect the rate of evaporation?"

Graves, Lauff and Schaefer were awarded silver and Rosas was awarded gold. More than 1,400 projects were presented by students from across Illinois.