It is a universal truth that science is seen everywhere, even in the simplest of things. Its beauty and complexity is what encourages young minds to unravel its twisted mysteries. Day by day they work enduringly to create a step toward the new era of technology and knowledge, learning about new proteins that could stave off cancer or engineering useful contraptions. Science is stretched, proved, disproved, improved.

There is no other time of the year where science is celebrated more than the time of science fair. Fifty page papers are labored upon and thought over repeatedly. Tri-folds are created with precise art. Research papers are read numerously to impress judges and answer every question.

“We really work hard for this event, it takes a long process and also a lot of patience and it’s very intellectual,” sophomore Taylor Wilson said.

Science fair participants first research an experimental problem or question and to create the hypothesis based on prior knowledge. Next, they sign the appropriate forms and then after approval, create a proposal. The third step is to create the experiments and make the appropriate observations.

“In the engineering category, I made a new design of an 18-wheeler and tested to see which one had a sleeker design,” freshman P.J. Grady said. “It was only hard if you procrastinated, but if you stuck through it, especially the research plan, you can finish it.

The fourth step may be the most rigorous of the process yet – to type the whole research paper and get all of the needed elements, including the infamous abstract.  After all these procedures, students cover the expanse of a tri-fold with all the necessary information and the nerve-racking interview with three knowledgeable judges is the end of the challenge.

“The interviews were hard because I was nervous that my project wasn’t good enough,” Grady said. “But after finishing it all, there’s this huge relief.”

Projects such as Effects of Light on Desychronosis Using Neurosporachrassa by Wilson and The Aerodynamics of an 18-wheeler by Grady stole the spotlight and are set out to earn awards at the next levels of the fair. After the school competitions, the first to third places and notable mentions advance to Regionals where the school has swept the sweepstakes award for four years. This year 59 students will face rivals such as Bowie and Westwood.

“[Apart from the awards and scholarships,] in the distinguished plan, participation in Science Fair counts as one of the advanced measures,” teacher Rhonda Christman said. “Some also have the opportunity to submit their projects to the Junior Academy and present projects at Texas A&M.”

Advancing to Regionals, students will be able to revise or improve their projects due for presentation to harder and more distinguished judges. At this competition, students are able to get scholarships to colleges such as Texas Tech, grants or awards from first to fifth places. Senior Kenny Marino, won many of the latter by creating complicated robotic projects.

“Networking is one of the main awards that one can get from Science fair,” Christman said. “Science fair allows students to meet people (such as the judges, or professors) who are able to give them helpful contacts and opportunities.”

Science fair is not only a chance to win awards and scholarships but it also creates a better student. It teaches one how to endure and labor through a rigorous and mentally exhausting paper. It creates a responsible student by getting through all the requirements needed for science fair. Science fair is also an event when great minds come together and celebrate science to its best.

“Science fair is basically developing a way of thinking and mostly, problem solving and evaluating,” Christman said. “There are definitely roadblocks in the way of this process, but once one gets through those roadblocks, the project gets easier and the students will break into the process. The experience will help them through future projects of the same caliber, such as senior projects.”