Science Fair Recognizes Student Achievements

Published on Feb 7, 2017

The future is bright for our region according to the abilities shown by students at the 5th annual ACTC/FIVCO Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 3. The fair coordinated by Ashland Community and Technical College showcased 124 science projects that ranged from making electricity to cleaning grease stains.

“The fair is awesome,” said Ethan Tiller, an eighth grade student from East Carter Middle School.  He and classmate Treven Tussey entered a behavioral science project called “Are You Judging Me.”

“Our project was interesting,” Tiller said. “We wanted to see how people are judged based on the way they dress, such as country, goth and preppy. We were surprised to find that ‘country’ rated lowest.”

Marcus Daniels and Evan Billips from Paul G. Blazer High School won first place for their behavioral science stress levels pressure.

The fair at ACTC’s Technology Drive Campus had entries from 45 schools and home schools representing all FIVCO counties.  “The Fair is a great opportunity for our students,” said Tabitha Smith, a science teacher at Holy Family School in Ashland. “They get to explore different areas of science that they wouldn’t get in class.”

Those different areas of science explored at the fair were Biomedical & Behavioral Health; Animal, Plant & Environmental; Math, Engineering & Computers; Chemistry; and Physics & Astronomy.

 “It was a privilege and an honor to serve the students and teachers of the FIVCO area,” said Mia Brown, Fair Director. “Our area is rich with many gifted and talented individuals excelling in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

 “This year’s event was a result of the continuous support of our volunteers, teachers and students who are committed to student success,” Brown said. “A special thanks goes to our sponsors Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., Kings Daughter Medical Center, Marathon Petroleum Company and Big Sandy Superstore.”

“I would also like to thank ACTC faculty and staff; our Tri-State partners Mountwest Community & Technical College, BridgeValley Community & Technical College, Ohio University Southern, Marshall University, US Army Corps of Engineers, American Electric Power and St. Mary’s Medical Center; and the many k-12 teachers who served as judges.” 

 First, second and third place awards were given in each category. Each award for middle school and high school students include a medallion and a cash prize of $100 for first place, $80 for second place and $60 for third place.  The elementary grand prize winner received $100 and the grand prize runner up received $80. 

Teachers of students who won first place received a $50 gift card from the National Science Teachers Association.

All award winners in the middle and high school categories as well as the elementary grand prize and grand prize runner-up are eligible to enter the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at Northern Kentucky University. 

Award winners are listed below by category.

Elementary Awards

Biomedical & Behavioral Health Sciences: 1st - Allan Boss from Rose Hill Christian School, 2nd - Brett Dailey and Tyler Stinson from Olive Hill Elementary School, 3rd -Savannah Adams and Addison Tiller from Prichard Elementary School in Carter County.

Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences: 1st - Raini Hall from Argillite Elementary in Greenup County,  2nd Place - Brody Shearer from Star Elementary in Carter County, 3rd - Carter Hunt from Greysbranch Elementary in Greenup County

Math, Engineering, & Computer Sciences: 1st - Alauna Troxler from Crabbe Elementary in Ashland, 2nd - Jacob Holbrook from Prichard Elementary, 3rd -Charles Conley and Samuel Hicks from Oakview Elementary in Ashland,

Physics & Astronomy: 1st - Katie Abshire from a home school in Ashland, 2nd - Alissa Nolen and Adyson Powers from Canonsburg Elementary in Boyd County

Chemistry: 1st- Ariah Egleston and Autumn Egleston from Olive Hill Elementary in Carter County, 2nd - Kaesin Ward from Blaine Elementary in  Lawrence County, 3rd - Joseph Hardesty from a home school in Boyd County.         

Raini Hall from Argillite Elementary was the Grand Prize winner, and Alauna Troxler from Crabbe Elementary was the Grand Prize runner-up winner.  Both are eligible to enter for the Regional Science Fair.

Middle School Awards

Biomedical & Behavioral Health Sciences: 1st -Ethan Tiller and Treven Tussey from East Carter Middle School; 2nd Place Lukas Andrews and Alexis Wagoner from Elliott County Middle School, 3rd Place Lucas Rayburn from West Carter Middle School.

Animal, Plant, & Environmental Sciences: 1st - Ryleigh Campbell and David Crawford from Holy Family, 2nd - Tristen Tillery from McKell Middle School in Greenup County, 3rd - Abby Christian and Sydney Kinnel from Boyd County Middle School.

Math, Engineering, & Computer Sciences: 1st- Paylin Meek from Louisa Middle School, 2nd - Gage Potter from McKell Middle School in Greenup, 3rd - Sarah Preece from Blaine Elementary School in Lawrence County

Physics & Astronomy: 1st - Josiah Combs  and Samuel Sherrard from East Carter Middle School, 2nd – Braden Ryan and Michael Potter from Boyd County Middle School, 3rd - Luke Johnson  from Louisa Middle School,

Chemistry: 1st - Sarah Boyles and Gracie Terry from Wurtland Elementary School in Greenup County, 2nd - Adam Burnett and Aston Tiller from Easter Carter Middle School, 3rd - Arianna Biliter and Raychel Anguiano from West Carter.

High School Awards

Biomedical & Behavioral Health Sciences: 1st –Evan Billips and Marcus Daniels from Paul G. Blazer High School, 2nd - Blake Day and Julia Minigh from Paul Blazer, 3rd - Eathon Chandler and Zach Hood from Fairview High School.

Animal, Plant, & Environmental Sciences: 1st - Alexandra Sexton from Raceland-Worthington High School, 2nd - Anna Jaco and Bayleigh Wagner from Greenup County High School, 3rd - Trey McGlone from West Carter High School

Math, Engineering, & Computer Sciences: 1st - Catheryn Holbrook from West Carter, 2nd - Chloe DeGiorgio and Michael Gerber Holy Family Collegiate High School.

Physics & Astronomy: 1st - Luke Kirk from Boyd County High School, 2nd - Sydney Powers and Braeden Whaley from Holy Family, 3rd - Zachariah Tussey from Greenup County.

Chemistry: 1st - Seth Canterbury and Sarai Combs from Holy Family, 2nd - Ashley Boggs and Jenna Stephens from Greenup County, 3rd - Terrence Oney and Sheldon Stevens from Elliott County High School.

Gospel Night is Feb. 16

The public is invited to a free Gospel Night Program Thursday, Feb.16, at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center in downtown Ashland.  The program features choirs and soloists from African American churches throughout the Tri-State.

Performers include the Mass Choir from Christ Temple Church in Ashland, the Mass Choir from First Baptist Church in Burlington OH, the Ironton High School Choir, the Mass Choir and Men’s Choir from Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Ironton and Quinn Chapel AME Church in Ironton. 

Soloists are John Smith from Zoar Baptist Church in Cole Grove, OH, and Angela Young from First Baptist Church in Burlington.

The community Black History Month program is supported by ACTC, the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center and a number of community partners. For more information, contact the Museum at 606-329-8888.

Electrical/HVAC Continuing Education

Recertification classes for Kentucky electrical and HVAC professionals will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, beginning at 8 a.m. at ACTC’s Robert Drive Campus.

Green Energy & Business Practices is approved for Kentucky Electrical Contractors and HVAC Journeymen and Masters, electrical contractors and plumbers. Instructor Lennis Adkins will cover topics such as Green Energy trends, techniques and tips.

Analysis of NEC Upgrades is approved for Kentucky master electricians and electricians. Instructor Harold Henry will cover updates to the National Electrical Code. 

Each class is $89, and enrollment is through ACTC Workforce Solutions, 606-326-2130, or email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu.