USU Uintah Basin Supports Local Science Fair for Grades 6-8

VERNAL, Utah — Utah State University Uintah Basin hosted more than 160 local middle school students from schools in Uintah, Duchesne and Carbon counties for the annual Uintah School District science fair this month.

USU Uintah Basin faculty, in collaboration with a committee of local Uintah School District K-12 educators and administrators, ran the event. The science fair took place on Jan. 16 at the Uintah Conference Center in Vernal.

The science fair was split into four categories: engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences and social sciences across three grades (6th, 7th and 8th). The projects were judged and awards were given to the top three finishers from each grade.

“Since its beginnings at the USU Vernal campus over one decade ago, the Uintah Basin Middle School Science Fair has grown into a wonderful opportunity for local middle and high school students to carry out and share their own scientific research with the community, with winners qualifying to present at higher state and even national science fairs later on,” said Mike Christiansen, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at USU Uintah Basin and one of the fair’s organizers.

The local science fair was founded by former USU Uintah Basin professor Lianna Etchberger and has been supported by USU since its inception in 2012. The event has grown from a small gathering at the USU Uintah Basin Vernal campus to the large-scale affair it is today, prompting its move to the Uintah Conference Center in 2017. Prior to being hosted in Vernal, local students had to travel long distances to find a fair that could qualify for state and national competitions.

“Over the years, many hundreds of students have participated and have deeply enjoyed their experience,” Christiansen said. “Having seen their smiling faces each year, I believe the fair has brought great personal joy to them and their families. I’ve also gained profound feelings of satisfaction as I’ve worked with a collaborative team of dozens of outstanding local teachers to help organize and carry out this amazing annual event. Many thanks to them and their students for all their hard work every year.”

The award winners now qualify to participate in the regional Ritchey Science & Engineering Junior Fair, which will be March 13 at Weber State University in Ogden.

Uintah School District Junior Science Fair Winners

Engineering: Moses LeBeau (6th grade), Ember Zufelt (7th grade), Melody Liebhardt (8th grade)

Biological Sciences: Emalee Purcell (6th grade), Austin Taylor (7th grade), Tyler Huber (8th grade)

Physical Sciences: Leah Wells (6th grade), Cristin Halverson (7th grade), Morris Stewart (8th grade)

Social Sciences: Paizlee Seamons (6th grade), Paisley Johnson (7th grade), Shayanne Ulwelling (8th grade)

The following students were recognized with community awards presented by community partners who support the science fair:

• Kimber Farnsworth, Tyler Huber and Sophie Batty (Frontier Solutions)
• David Pierce (USU Bingham Research Center)
• Ember Zufelt and Sam Hirschi (Deseret Power)
• Moses LeBeau, Cooper Wilson, Ryker Janowicz, and Cole Murphy (BHI)
• Austin Taylor, Cristin Halverson, Kimber Farnsworth, Ember Zufelt, and Tyce Stilson (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
• Treyson Farrer, David Pierce, Megan Glazier, Gentry Weeks, Fiona Faucher, and Ruby Batty (Uintah School District)
• Sam Pierce and Austin Taylor (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Avery Wood and Ruby Batty (Ashley Regional Medical Center)
• Analyn Pead, Jane Simmons, and Deenylah Tilo (Pepsi)
• Nadia Wong, Gavin Christensen, Rylan and McDonald (Friends of the Utah Field House)
• Easton Labrum, Ben Shiner, and Sullivan Olson (UBTECH SkillsUSA Chapter)

Operating campuses in Vernal and Roosevelt for more than 50 years, Utah State University Uintah Basin gives students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university, all in the backdrop of the outdoor oasis that is the Uinta Mountains and Ashley National Forest. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees and more than 125 programs available, as well as access to the renowned Bingham Research Center, USU Uintah Basin offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at uintahbasin.usu.edu.