XENIA — The culmination of months of hard work for 38 freshmen at Xenia High School took place recently as they presented their research projects at the annual science fair.

“The long-term projects that we focus on each year for the science fair really allow students to develop critical thinking and research skills, as well as help them work on their presentation skills,” said Britney Amole, an 11-year science teacher at XHS who has managed the science fair for the past eight years. “Engaging students in these kinds of projects also helps keep them motivated to learn and moving toward a potential career in the sciences.”

Science fair participants are all in the honors class for Spectra, which is the required physical science course for freshmen that focuses on foundational knowledge and skills in the areas of physics, chemistry, and astronomy.

Of the 38 participants, 18 received a “superior” rating from the judges, while 12 students received an “excellent” rating. Students who received the superior rating are eligible for the Ohio Academy of Science District Science Day on March 14 at Central State University. These students will present their projects along with students from other schools in District 10, which encompasses Greene, Montgomery, and Clark counties.

As part of the process, 32 judges spent the morning interviewing the students and evaluating projects. Judges were all teachers, administrators, board members, city council members, and volunteers with experience in science fairs and/or a background in the sciences.

“I was impressed by the hard work and research that went into the projects,” said Tami Bartley, an XCS board member who also served as a judge. “Each participant had chosen topics that they were interested in – and it showed in their enthusiasm and the thoroughness of the presentations.”