St. Patrick School students tout long-term projects at annual academic fair

Junior high students have many interests, but 60 eighth-graders at St. Patrick School in Wadsworth had to zero in on just one.

Students at the Catholic school spent eight weeks researching a topic, writing a speech and a paper, and preparing a project board complete with props, as part of the annual academic fair Wednesday.

The event featured students making presentations to judges. After that, schoolmates gathered in the gym to view the projects and ask questions, followed by an open house for families and members of the community. Some of the topics researched included the television show "Doctor Who," the band One Direction, archery, golf and a coral reef.

Student Adie Morrill had a steady stream of visitors while handing out samples of honey as part of her honey bee project.

Junior high language arts teacher Adele Green said specific guidelines and checkpoints were given to the students to help them manage their long-term project.

"It teaches them a lot about the research process. I am amazed how much they learn about their topic and the topics of classmates," Green said. "Fun to see what they are interested in."

An awards presentation is planned for today.