Science fairs are common in educational settings, but Dayspring Christian Academy (DCA) takes the concept to a different level with a Project Fair, which has divisions that explore fine arts, humanities, and the wonders of creation, along with traditional science projects and research on famous chemists. Each project includes a written report with up to a dozen required sections, as well as a display with graphics and abstracts.
Maria Russo, college and career director for DCA, said that the school has expanded the project forum over the years with a focus on research and purpose. "(Students) have to think through why this (topic) is valuable to others," she explained, noting that using credible primary sources of good information is an integral part of the research.
Ninth-grade biology students research Earth and nature in a category dubbed Creation Evidences Museum. These projects, which are not judged, explore topics such as the magnificence of God's creation in a spider, the metamorphosis of butterflies, and the complexity of the human eye.
Tenth-grade students may complete a science project or focus on a famous chemist. In this category, students undertook to study Robert Bunsen, Marie Curie, and Rosalind Franklin, among others. First place in the Science Fair division went to Caroline Hostetter for "Aw, They Grow Up So Fast." Second place went to Cole Ployd for "Deflate Debate," and in third place was Austin Myers with "Magnetic Domains." Best Famous Chemist project went to Jude Prestidge for "Unclean," and Mikayla Stoltzfus won best display in that category for "Got Milk? ... In the Pasteur."
Eleventh-grade students choose to complete a project in fine arts, including art, and music, science research, or humanities. Each student works with a mentor to complete his or her project. Mishael Opala took first place in the humanities section for "Technology Changes in Education." Second place in fine arts went to Zoe Martin for "Created With a Passion," and third place in that division went to Gavin Knolle for "Composition Analysis." Second place in science went to Alison Bruner for "Foods' Effect on Brain and Body," with third place in that same category to Matthew Engle for "Space Matters: The Costly Benefits From Exploration and Technology of Space," and honorable mention to Elizabeth Grossman for "Music and Memory."
Russo explained that completing the projects prepares students for their senior year, when they work with an adviser to complete a 20-page senior paper. She noted that the research and writing process helps students in their chosen careers as well as college.
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