The 57th Annual CASAC Science Fair encourages students to use creativity to solve problems
11th grader Ted Pluta conducts his science fair experiment with the guidence of Chem teacher Chantal Savage.
January 21, 2014
Update 11:18am 1/30/14
For a list of the results of the fair, please check out the CASD website.
This weekend, the CASAC (Carlisle Area Science Advisory Committee) is holding the 57th annual science fair Jan 24-Jan 26 in the Swartz cafeteria and gymnasium.
According to the CASD Science Fair webpage, the Science Fair, open to grades 4-12, is “held to give students of the Carlisle Area School District and the South Middleton School District the opportunity to learn and share what they’ve discovered in conducting a science project.”
Geo-Environmental teacher Kevin Spicer is one of the four Science Fair coaches.
Spicer said that enrolling in the Science Fair “allows a student to use a measure of his/her own creativity in putting together a project that addresses a question or problem.”
In addition to the CASD students, the CASAC Science Fair is open to students from the South Middleton School District, Grace Baptist students, St. Patrick’s students and students who are home-schooled and those who are enrolled in cyber school.
“[Every year] over 600 projects entered, and most of them are done by individuals, so around 600+ students participate annually across all three divisions, elementary, junior, and senior,” said Spicer.
All projects that are entered in to the Science Fair must meet Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) rules and guidelines which are posted on the CASD website.
If a student enters the science fair, they are eligible to win prizes.
Seventh grade Life Science teacher Allison Thumma said, “Students have the opportunity to earn first, second or third place ribbons or either an honorable mention or participation ribbon.”
Biology teacher and Head of the Science department Samantha Moyer said, “The CASAC fair allows students grades 4-12 to participate so it encourages students from a very early age to become independent thinkers and explore the scientific method.”
Caitlin.Dull • Jan 22, 2014 at 9:55 am
I think it’s really cool that periscope did an article on this. I never knew how small the area that covered the CASAC science fair was. It’s cool how many students participate in such a small area.
Janie Haseman • Jan 21, 2014 at 11:44 pm
This is a great article! My little brother participated in the elementary school science fair last year, and I think CASAC as a whole is a great program in that it encourages students to think outside of the box early on. Some of the projects presented at the fair could probably impact the world; I can’t wait to see what projects both my little brother as well as the other contestants produce this year!
Amelia Winn • Jan 21, 2014 at 9:43 pm
I think science fairs are a great way to show just how applicable science is to our daily life. They give fascinating insight into interesting subjects that are not covered in school science curriculum. I once did a science fair project that studied the growth rate of grass seed with different solvents as substitutes for pure water. Fun fact – sugar water works wonders.