It was a science-lover’s dream come true Feb. 26 at the Kent-Meridian High School cafeteria.

A total of 115 students vied for top honors at the district’s middle-school science fair. Judging their projects were 27 scientists and engineers from Boeing, Puget Sound Energy, Green River College and Kent Community Foundation.

The high-tech event featured all kinds of science know-how from the district’s sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

Boeing engineer Gary Foss was this year’s head judge.

“The reason that this is remarkable is that I’ve looked across the state, and only about five (school districts) have district-wide science fairs, so I’m really pleased,” Foss said of Kent’s science program.

This is Kent’s second year offering the middle-school fair.

Learn more at: http://kent.oursciencefair.com/SchoolHome.aspx.

Go to http://wssef.org to learn about the state science fair.

Here is the complete list of winners.
2011 Specialty Award Winners – Kent Middle School Science Fair

• Superintendent–showing significant achievement in science
Ashley Honda and Christina Keovongphet–Meridian MS

• Principals–likelihood to pursue science or engineering field
Isabella Caraturro–Meridian MS; and Spencer Stromberg–Kent Technology Academy   (Tie)

• Science Coordinator–showing great persistence in completing project
Deepak Subedi–Meridian MS

• Atmospheric–Recognizes best project involving atmospheric principles
Mark Vasilkiv–Meridian MS

• Applied Biology–Recognizes best project related to principles of biology
Emi Williams and Lauren Santos–Northwood MS; and Payton B–Northwood MS (Tie)

• Applied Chemistry–Recognizes best project related to chemistry or chemical reactions
Logan Cayton–Northwood MS.

• Applied Physics–Recognizes best project linked to the principles of physics
Spencer Stromberg–Kent Technology Academy

• Applied Behaviorism–Recognizes best project tied to human or animal behavior
Madison Taylor–Northwood MS; and Frankie Curry Edwards–Meridian MS (Tie)

• Best Use of Data–Recognizes best project with accurate and/or novel use of data
Cindy Chen and Katie Berger–Meridian MS; and Amber Chandler–Meridian MS (Tie)

• Community Service–Recognizes best project with impact or potential impact on local community
Tianna Hansen and Rachell Evans–Meridian MS; and Kristen Strenge–Meridian MS (Tie)

• Biotechnology–Recognizes best project linking biology with technology
Lyubka Krasteva and Sevda Aslanova–Meridian MS

• Energy–Recognizes best project dealing with energy or an application with energy
Taylor Willis and Samantha Lua Rue–Mattson MS

• Technology Integration–Recognizes best project integrating science and technology
Paul Choi–Kent Technology Academy

• Water Science–Recognizes best project involving water or its conservation
Oorja Chowdhary–Kent Technology Academy

• Earth Science–Recognizes best project involving earth science concepts
Justin Die–Northwood MS

• Space Science–Recognizes best project involving space science concepts
James L and Kelson Kaiser–Northwood MS

• 2011 STRAW STRUCTURE Engineering Competition

1st:  Jordan Wilcox and Kevin Nguyen–Meridian MS: 212 cm
2nd: Nikita Grover, Apporva Chowdhary, and Oorja Chowdhary–Mill Creek and Kent Technology Academy: 209 cm
3rd:  Sabrina Anderson, Rachell Evans, and Tianna Hansen–Meridian MS: 170 cm

• 2011 Grand Award 7th Grade

1st: Nikita Grover and Sean Chounlanamy–Mill Creek MS;  and Oorja Chowdhary–Kent Technology Academy (Tie)
2nd: Avtar Singh–Meridian MS and Justin Ambalada, Jack Ely, and Gavin Bell–Mill Creek MS
3rd:  Taylor Willis and Samantha LaRue–Mattson MS

• 2011 Grand Award 8th Grade
1st: Cindy Chen and Katie Berger—Meridian MS; Spencer Stromberg–Kent Technology Academy; James L and Kelson Kaiser–Northwood MS;  Paul Choi–Kent Technology Academy,  (4 way Tie)
2nd: Ashley Honda and Christina Keovongphet–Meridian MS;  Torey Robinson and Aly Perez–Meridian MS; Diana Gibson and Monique Flores-Meridian MS; Payton B–Northwood MS, (4 way Tie)
3rd:  Lyubka Krasteva and Sevda Aslanova–Meridian MS; Taylor Kuwahara–Northwood MS; Isabella Caraturro–Meridian MS; Tianna Hansen and Rachell Evans–Meridian MS; Kyle Healy–Northwood MS; and Amandeep Panach–Meridian MS, (6 way Tie)