Sixth-grader Jack Hodges presented his project at the Heritage Science Fair Extravaganza. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Collaboration among teachers, staff and students led to the largest science fair in recent years at Heritage Elementary School.

“Gone are the days of rock collections and erupting volcanoes for projects,” Heritage Principal Dr. Georgina Nelson said.

“The quality and the quantity of projects was very impressive to our outside panel of judges from HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 3M, Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center and advanced-placement chemistry instructors at Bob Jones High School,” Nelson said. “Judges had their work cut out for them in trying to determine our overall winners.”

“We had numerous comments of the high level of scientific rigor shown through the students’ work,” sixth-grade teacher Beth Clemmons said.

Clemmons credited the Heritage faculty for working “extremely hard to provide guidance and tools for students to conduct real-life experiments that look toward our scientific future.” Students’ projects showed “evidence of high levels of thinking and mastery of scientific concepts.”

“We’re proud of all students who participated this year and in our overall winners,” Clemmons said.

In a fair, students can use critical thinking and problem-solving skills from science and math classes. The activity applies research techniques, expands independent and collaborative work habits and fosters curiosity and creativity, Clemmons said.

Student projects dealt with behavioral and social scenarios, biology, environmental and physical science, animal husbandry, chemistry, medicine and health, engineering and botany.

Judges recognized the top 16 projects by sixth-graders, top 8 by fifth-graders and top 10 in grades 3-4. The sixth- and fifth-grade students will advance to the North Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The Heritage Science Team includes Katie Scruggs, Sarah Stewart, Mini Joshi, Kaye Harris, Dr. Fitzgerald McQueen and Shelly Dickerson. Also assisting were Laura Minor, Heather Chaffin, PTA President Melissa Price and the cafeteria and janitorial staff.