The fifth and sixth grade cohort participated in the 36th Annual Mendocino County Science & Engineering Fair on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Ukiah Fairgrounds. We are very proud of our young scientists! Special thanks to Mrs. Miao for encouraging the students to participate, and volunteering her time at the fair. 

Our research was “Can jelly beans improve test scores?” We found out that 5 jelly beans worked the best for improving your test score, but it will also depend on how long you wait. In our project, we learned that 15 jelly beans will make the testers too hyper and they won’t be able to focus, 5 jelly beans improved the test scores, and 8 jellybeans are in between. In conclusion, 5 jellybeans worked the best, and in order to do well the testers needed to focus. The science fair was great. We also won excellence ribbons. During this process, we learned that teamwork requires patience and kindness.

—Sophia, Victoria, and Xinwen, 5th Grade

The title of our science experiment was “Which sugary drink promotes the most tooth decay?” Our hypothesis was that Redbull or Monster would be worse for your tooth enamel. In the end, we found out that Redbull is worse for your teeth. We used six different liquids. Those six liquids were water, squirt, Gatorade, apple juice, Monster and Redbull. If you are going to drink any of these drinks, except for water, brush your teeth right away afterwards. At the Science Fair, we got second place ribbons, Achievement ribbons.

—Anna and Victorine, 6th Grade

My research was “How salty does water have to be for an egg to float in it?” My conclusion is if the density of the water is higher than the density of the egg, the egg will float. I found out that there has to be a concentration of 60ml/1L for an egg to float in water. When I was presenting, I learned that I have to stay calm or else I will forget what I would say. All my work was worth it because I got a red ribbon which means an achievement of excellence! Next time, I will aim for the blue ribbon!

—Aarya, 5th Grade

For my Science Fair project, I surveyed forty-two students because my project was about preferences while doing homework. Three judges asked me questions about my project. I got an Achievement ribbon. After the Science Fair, I learned that people like to do their homework in the dark, and that it takes 50% of people 3+ hours to do homework. All in all the science fair was a pleasant experience. I got to see my friends and look at other people’s projects.

— Wren, 6th grade

For my Science Fair project, it was called “Evaporation Exploration”. I researched it online and at the library. I learned that hand sanitizer evaporates quickly and water doesn’t evaporate quite as fast. From other people’s projects I learned all sorts of things, such as: you can make electricity using lemons, and what moisturizer works the best. My experiment lasted 6 days. I used water, liquid soap, vinegar, 70% alcohol hand sanitizer, salt water, and apple cider vinegar. I put them in small plastic cups. I got my research from Wikipedia, the National Geographic website, and a book called Experiments with Heating and Cooling. 

    — Utpala, 6th grade