Young scientists

The hard work paid off for students from throughout Southeast Missouri who entered projects in the Regional Science Fair last week in Cape Girardeau.

The list of winners was long and varied, showing top winners from both public and parochial schools in both the junior high and high school divisions.

More than 245 projects were entered in the fair at the Show Me Center. And the work covered a variety of topics from acid rain's effect on concrete to whether a dog or human has a cleaner mouth. (The dog's mouth is cleaner, one student's project concluded.)

Students from 20 different schools showcased their work, defended their projects before judges and held their breath during the competition, hoping for a first-place ribbon. Winners in the annual event advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix.

Parochial schools tended to win the most prizes and had the most students entering work.

Some public schools say that standardized assessments and other requirements take a higher priority than the science fair and keep them from entering students' work in the regional fair. There were no entries from the Cape Girardeau or Jackson school districts.

But other public schools, like Farmington Middle School -- which took home 32 awards, say the science fair projects teach exactly what students need to know for MAP tests: creativity, logical thinking, writing and editing.

Students who participate in the science fair are rewarded and recognized for their efforts and hard work, including scholarships and other educational opportunities. Congratulations to all the students who entered this year's science fair.