Submitted by Dan Evans
Sean Hawkins (12) presents his award for which he won first place in behavioral science at the Regional Science Fair.
Students who took BMI (BioMedical Innovation) or ISR (Independent Science Research) were able to participate at the Regional Science Fair at St Charles Community College on Feb. 28. Five students took home awards and scholarships.
This is the first year anyone at Liberty has won first place in their respective categories. Pranad Balla (12) and Sean Hawkins (12) both won first place in their respective categories.
Students who participated in this fair have been working on their projects since the beginning of the school year and have put in hours of time into it.
“It felt really good because I’ve been working on this project since the beginning of school, just some hard work paying off,” Kylie Honerkamp (12), second place behavioral science winner, said.
Multiple students had links to the research they were conducting, be it friends dealing with certain disabilities, community issues, or things that they struggle with. Months of dedication have led up to this moment and to be able to say not one but two of our very own have won first place awards just shows the work these students put in.
Balla was able to win the Ricoh Sustainability Award, an award that plants 400 trees in his name, which is fitting considering the topic he chose to do for his project.
“Find a more cost effective and time effective model of green infrastructure… I chose St. Louis because we are in unique conditions where we have two rivers that are right next to us, Missouri and the Mississippi,” Balla said.
Balla not only was able to help the earth by being awarded the Rico Sustainability, but was also able to inform multiple people about green infrastructure close to home.
“It was very satisfying for them to be able to see their hard work pay off in that way, so that’s just very rewarding to me as a teacher,” science teacher, Dan Evans said.
After a long and tedious process, it’s relieving to see such a big win for the students who participated. Make sure to congratulate them if you see them.