The chance to model science through original experimentation resulted in numerous innovative thinkers at Thomas County Central High School advancing to the next level of competition.

More than 200 students participated in the annual TCCHS Science Fair, which was held in December 2015 and showcased approximately 150 projects. Of these, 39 students qualified to advance to region competition, to be held this February.

“These projects generally showed creative thinking in trying to answer a question or solve a problem,” TCCHS science teacher and fair advisor Laura Kornegay said. “Students tackled novel topics, conducted thorough experimentation, and analyzed results thoughtfully.”

Sophomore Kyle Clark, 15, placed first in behavioral sciences for his project, “Redrawing the Asch Experiment.”

“It feels pretty good,” Clark said of his win. “It shows that my work was up to par.”

He “redid” one of Solomon Asch’s psychology experiments to determine whether males or females are more susceptible to conformity.

“I started taking AP Psychology and reading about experiments that were done,” Clark said. “I thought this one would be interesting and one I could replicate and get results.”

In general, he asked subjects questions, but only one person was supposed to give a genuine answer – everyone else was told what to say. The person asked to give the genuine answer was tested to see if he or she would conform to what everyone else said.

“I found that males conform a lot more than females,” Clark said.

Junior Jordan Bush, 17, and her project partner Hannah Dixon placed first in environmental science for their study, “The impact of watersheds on water quality.”

“It’s important that people pay attention to how they are treating their environment,” Bush said.

Region will be held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton on Feb. 12. Students will prepare by reviewing their work and practicing for interviews, Kornegay said.

“At region, students will be interviewed by judges about their projects,” she said.

Bush said she and her partner will be working hard to prepare for region competition, including changing items on their board and making their results more easily understood.

 “We’re excited,” she said. “We hope we can pass on to state.”

Clark is prepping for region competition by going over his backboard, filling out forms and “making sure everything is how I want it to be.”

This is his first time placing in a school-level science fair and he hopes to continue his winning streak at region.

“I hope to place there,” he said. “I want to have a good time and hopefully move on to state.”

Kornegay said science fairs are an important part of the subject’s curriculum because they give students “a chance to model science” through the design of original experiments and the collection and analyzing of data.

“That's science,” she said. “Students have a chance to pick topics that are of interest to them, and for those who advance, they get to meet students from across the state and see what kind of research they conducted. Students also have a chance to receive recognition from colleges and universities in the state, and make connections with professors from these institutions.”

TCCHS Science Fair Results 2015

First Place Winners

“Getting to the root of the problem” – Katelyn Hancock

“The effect of AgNP on Chlorella” – C’lee Kornegay

“Can you dig it?” – Anna Jense & Tyler Williamson

“When things aren’t so Rosy” – Faythe Choate & Haley Newman

“The impact of watersheds on water quality” – Hannah Dixon & Jordan Bush

“Is it worth it?” – Emily Owen and Emily Mitchell

“Redrawing the Asch Experiment” – Kyle Clark

“A full moon mystery” – Sierra Stephens & Kennedy Ward

Second Place Winners

“Biomechanics of pitching” – Andrew Carnes & Tyler Carter

“Stopping erosion one radish at a time” – Brentley Odom

“Worming out the truth” – Natalie Smith

“Food eatin’ heart beatin’” – Katie Kiser & Madison Johnson

“Wood Strength” – Jonathan Mills

“To Stop a Bullet” – Ben Wilhelm

“100 Facebook Friends” – Samantha Castillo & Reagan Huddleston

“Effect of age on fears” – Desiree Hough

Third Place Winners

“Drop it like it’s hot” –Leila Hurst & Caroline Pope

“Germs” – Kealie Bennett

“To K or not to K” – Katie and Jeremy Simmons

“Soil Erosion” – Hailey Ferrel

“Effects of glucose and sucrose” – Olivia and Kacy Jones

“Too fast for ya” – Kasey Melton

“Fly High” – Dev Patel & Caleb Jenkins

“When the beat drops” – Cheyenne Little & Chelsey Lawler

“Cats and Catnip” – T’Naya Ivey & Alyssa Godwin