Middle Schoolers Earn High Marks in Regional Science Fair

On Thursday, March 20, seven Tandem 7th & 8th graders, with science teacher Anne Deane as their chaperone/mentor, took six science projects to join over 140 middle school projects (300 projects total) from all over the region (including some Richmond schools) to compete in the 45th Annual Virginia Piedmont Regional Science Fair held at UVA's North Fork Discovery Park. Our seven participants were: 8th graders Bela J-T, Jon D, Riley G, Muriel K, and Elodie K; and 7th graders Fred D and Charlie F. Tandem brought projects entered in three categories: chemistry, computer science, and behavioral science. The project boards were eye-catching and professional (see photos), and students did an impressive job presenting their projects to a series of judges. Topics included: 'Why is food texture important?', 'Are expensive lip products better?', 'Does AI show gender and racial bias?', 'Which wood burns hottest the fastest?', 'What malware scam are Middle Schoolers most likely to fall for?', and 'Testing the efficiency of steel vs aluminum in metal-air batteries'. Several projects won awards, but everyone did an outstanding job over several months to get ready. Awards received were:

• 1st Place in Computer Science to Riley G
• 3rd Place in Chemistry to Jon D
• Honorable Mention in Chemistry to Muriel K
• Honorable Mention for Best of Show to Charlie F and Fred D.

Congratulations to these Middle School scientists for representing Tandem so well at the Regional Science Fair.