District students shine at city science fair

City School District of Albany students earned medals galore at the recent 2018 Joseph Henry Science Fair.

District students took first place in all but one of the four areas of competition and placed in all the categories at the March 23 contest for budding Albany scientists ages 10-14.

Hosted by The College of Saint Rose, the annual Joseph Henry Science Fair gives science-fair winners from individual schools throughout Albany a forum to compete against each other and have their projects judged on scientific merit.

Students competed individually or in teams in two grade groupings: grades 4-6 and grades 7-8. Medals for first-, second- and third-place prizes and honorable mentions were awarded to the top four science projects in each category.

Grades 4-6 individual winners

First place – Sameya Khan (pictured at right), grade 6, Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST)

Second place – Isadora Martinelli, grade 5, Pine Hills Elementary School

Third place – Danny Gazda, grade 4, New Scotland Elementary School

Honorable mention – Caroline Baker, grade 4, Montessori Magnet School

Grades 4-6 team winners

First place – Juliana Blake and Katie Myers, grade 6, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School

Second place – Isaac Allen and Julia Davis, grade 6, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School

Third place –  Peter Sang and Isaac Olupita, grade 4, and Hector Smith III, grade 5, Delaware Community School

Honorable mention – Ryan O’Connor and Owen Sears, grade 5, Montessori Magnet School

Grades 7-8 individual winners

First place – Josie Sears, grade 7, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School

Second place – Cosmo Martinelli, grade 7, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School

Honorable mention – Dorothy Sperry, grade 7, William S. Hackett Middle School

Grades 7-8 team winners

Second place – Ami Aboki, Breanna Kelley and Zslone Mantica, grade 7, William S. Hackett Middle School

Student projects ranged from simple to complex and spanned all major areas of scientific study. Each project included a poster, data tables, a data log and a three-dimensional component, such as the equipment used to collect the data. 

Projects were evaluated by a group of judges from the scientific, technological and academic communities of the Capital Region. Students were given the opportunity to discuss their projects with each judge.

The mission of the City School District of Albanyis to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves more than 9,600 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.