WINNER: Lucerne Valley Elementary School fourth-grader Aubry Hirschhorn, was the first place overall winner for grades 4-6 at the school’s annual science fair last week. PHOTO: LIU HIRSCHHORN
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By PETER DAY
Leader Editor
Students displayed their science projects at Lucerne Valley Elementary School’s annual Math and Science Night last Thursday evening.
The winners of the science fair were Aubry Hirschhorn, 4th grade, winner of grades 4-6 and first place overall winner; Elisha Wheeler, 6th grade, grades 4-6 overall 2nd place winner; Tatum Fox, 5th grade, grades 4-6 overall winner; Aydin Risler, 3rd grade, winner for grades 1-3 first place overall winner; Wyatt Perry, 2nd grade,for grades 1-3 overall 2nd place winner; Gavin Hirschhorn, 1st grade, for grades 1-3 3rd place overall winner.
“I’m blown away,” said school board president Jim Harvey, who attended the event. “It’s obvious to see a lot of effort from the students and teachers. What better way to learn.”
According to Principal Mary Eller, students implement the scientific method while presenting a question and ending with a conclusion statement.
Second grade teacher Liu Hirschhorn, who served as one of the organizers, said the projects are both fun and educational to create.
“It’s supposed to be a partnership between parents and their kids,” Hirschhorn said. “The learning curve is way higher when a parent is involved in the process.”
Students find ideas and resources at websites such as ScienceBuddies.org.
Many of the projects were centered around water.
The local business community, most notably Lucerne Valley mines, lend a hand. Helping out with the Science Fair were Omya California and Women in Mining. Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation contributes annual to the LVES Science Camp.
Student Eduardo Cervantes created a project to show the different effects of filtering water.
Another student showed how using a florescent grow light can affect plant growth while another showed the different effects of air pollution in Lucerne Valley.
The science fair was held in conjunction with the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium’s “Outstanding Environmental Science Project Awards” program.The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium and the Mojave Desert Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association are also involved.