Darke County Science Day nets record-setting entries

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GREENVILLE — The largest group of students yet in grades 5-12 participated in the third annual Darke County Science Day on Thursday evening.

“There are 112 entries,” said Angela McMurry, the K-12 science curriculum specialist, Believe in Ohio-director of STEM Advocates and SECO District 5 co-director of Darke County Education Service Center. “Two years ago, we had 40 students and now we’ve tripled our numbers. We distributed more than $2,000 to students, up from $1,000 from last year.”

McMurry also reported that 75 judges from all over the Miami Valley, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Midmark, Cargill and Ramco, as well as teachers, researchers and professors, volunteered to take part in judging the 10 categories in this year’s science day.

The science day organizer said this year’s turnout was 2 1/2 times as it has ever been. Again, it was hosted by Greenville High School and sponsored by the Upper Miami Valley Science Days and Darke County Educational Service Center.

Students from Ansonia, Arcanum, Bradford, Franklin-Monroe, DeColores Montessori, Greenville, Tri-Village and Versailles completed science research projects and presented their findings.

She said this event offered students a venue that promotes the development of creative thinking, research and writing skills and career motivation toward the sciences, all in one program. Project topics may be in biology, chemistry, botany, space and earth sciences, computers, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, medicine and health and behavioral and social science.

As a result, 30 students received the highest rating of “Superior,” who are now eligible to go to the District Science Day held at Edison Community College in Piqua this coming Saturday, with those receiving a superior at district may go on to the state contest held at The Ohio State University on May 14.

Those students are: From Ansonia – Mariah Troutwine and Ashley Murphy; from Arcanum – Brandon Kinney, Brandon Riffell, Shelbi Fourman, Mitchell Sink and Rebecca Pierson; from Bradford – Kailee Brower, Drew Patty, Rhyan Turner and Jana-Carolin Koslitzki; from DeColores Montessori – Jordan Dill, Anthony Masso-Rivetti, Natalie Milligan and Ryan Ballou; from Franklin-Monroe – Logan Garber; from Greenville –Francesca Masso-Rivetti and Quintin Muhlenkamp; from Tri-Village – Brina Toomy, Landen Fraylick, Justus Thomas, Shelby Holzapfel, Kaylor Pearson, Maddie Downing, Harley Ketring and Lily Preston; and from Versailles – Tessa Tyo, Chelsea Groff, Jessica Ahrens and James McClure.

Bradford High School junior, Kailee Brower, had the highest overall score for the 2016 Darke County Science Day. Rounding out the top 10 finishers were: Drew Patty, Bradford; Francessca Masso-Rivetti, Greenville; Rhyan Turner, Bradford; Quintin Muhlenkamp, Greenville; Jordan Dill, DeColores Montessori; Tessa Tyo, Versailles; Anthony Masso-Rivetti, DeColores Montessori; and Chelsea Groff and Jessica Ahrens, Versailles.

“I congratulate everyone on their efforts,” said keynote speaker Dr. Nick Weldy, superintendent of Miami Valley Career Technology Center, who also served as a judge. “Creativity abounds here. You all have something in common. You all have perseverance and passion. Everybody is so willing to share. There are a lot of kids here tonight with a lot of bright futures. I’m very impressed by your projects.”

Event sponsors donated awards and gift certificates in an amount totaling over $2,400. Sponsors included: Wayne Health Care, Prairie Belting, Inc., Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 143, The McMurry Family, Cargill, Greenville Kiwanis Club, Dayton Society of Natural History—Boonshoft, Darke County Educational Service Center, Menke Family, Energy Optimizers USA, Premier Health, GHS Science Club, Thomas Family, Hatic Family and The Daily Advocate.

McMurry said the students, the Darke County Educational Services Center and the Greenville Schools Science Department all wish to thank the sponsors and volunteers for making the 2016 Darke County Science Day a successful event. Anyone with questions about the Science Day program should contact her at the Darke County Educational Services Center, 937-548-4915 ext 221, or Dr. Martin E. English, 1470 W. Main St., Tipp City, OH 45371, 667-3217, or email: [email protected]

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Darke County Science Day held at Greenville Senior High School had the largest group of students participate this year with 112 entries.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_ScienceDay.jpgDarke County Science Day held at Greenville Senior High School had the largest group of students participate this year with 112 entries. Courtesy photo
More money awarded to winners this year

By Linda Moody

[email protected]

This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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