This past few weeks we had our annual STEM Fair. Over 200 of our middle school students participated, with 10 projects moving up to the Regional Fair. Our school had two reporters on site to cover the event and both were floored by the ingenuity of the projects on display and the poise of the students presenting them. They were so impressed, the Times Call gave us a front-page placement.

The student Ian Pfenning placed first in the fair. He was interviewed to further understand the goal of his project.

“The goal of my project was to make an AI powered pet feeder that could tell the difference between my two dogs. They eat two different amounts of food, meaning the AI needed to be able to identify which dog was at the feeder. My dog, Marly, eats a little at a time, while Emmet eats all of his at once. He then goes to eat Marly’s food, meaning I need to make a better process of feeding.”

Maya Rokhlenko and Olive Spohn worked on a group project and placed second. They were questioned about the importance of their project, and what it means to them. 

“(Maya) Our project is a project that is able to help a lot of people be more aware of peripheral vertigo and the fact that having prescription eyewear can increase the risk of development of the condition. (Olive) As Maya said, it is really important to raise awareness of the subject. Also, possible prevention of future development of peripheral vertigo is important.”

Isaac Vercammen and Oliver Hahn placed third.

The other seven contestants who made it to the Regional STEM Fair include (in no particular order): Ellery K., Anupriya A., Bella D., Ella S., Solomon C., Stella M., and Miles M.  

Congratulations to all students who participated in this year’s STEM Fair, and those who have qualified further!! Let’s go Dragons.