Quaker Valley Middle School was well represented at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) state-level competition held at Penn State University on May 19. Under the guidance of their teacher, Margot Bruno, five eighth-grade students from QVMS’s 4000-level Physical Science classes showcased their long-term experimental design projects. Student experimenters compete against the criteria of a well-controlled experiment and presentation quality rather than competing against each other.
In February, these students presented their projects at the regional PJAS competition, where all first-place winners were invited to the state competition. The students meticulously prepared their experiments for several months, culminating in formal presentations at Penn State.
Quaker Valley Middle School Participants:
- Savannah Jordon (Biology): “The Effect of Different Warmups on Long Jump Results” - 1st place
- Lauren Kirkham (Botany): “Analyzing the Effect of Clover Type on Grass Growth in Lawns” - 1st place
- Allison Hawes (Physics): “Slippery Sleds” - 2nd Place
- William Webster (Physics): “Effect of a Model Cars Center of Mass on Speed Down a Slope” - 2nd Place
- Elizabeth York (Microbiology): “Analyzing the Effect of No Boil Mouthguards on Bacteria Grow”- 2nd Place
The PJAS state competition is known for its rigorous standards. Students present their experiments in small groups, judged based on the criteria of scientific thought, experimental methods, analytical approach, presentation quality, and judges' opinion.
Quaker Valley Middle School was well represented at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) state-level competition held at Penn State University on May 19. Under the guidance of their teacher, Margot Bruno, five eighth-grade students from QVMS’s 4000-level Physical Science classes showcased their long-term experimental design projects. Student experimenters compete against the criteria of a well-controlled experiment and presentation quality rather than competing against each other.
In February, these students presented their projects at the regional PJAS competition, where all first-place winners were invited to the state competition. The students meticulously prepared their experiments for several months, culminating in formal presentations at Penn State.
Quaker Valley Middle School Participants:
- Savannah Jordon (Biology): “The Effect of Different Warmups on Long Jump Results” - 1st place
- Lauren Kirkham (Botany): “Analyzing the Effect of Clover Type on Grass Growth in Lawns” - 1st place
- Allison Hawes (Physics): “Slippery Sleds” - 2nd Place
- William Webster (Physics): “Effect of a Model Cars Center of Mass on Speed Down a Slope” - 2nd Place
- Elizabeth York (Microbiology): “Analyzing the Effect of No Boil Mouthguards on Bacteria Grow”- 2nd Place
The PJAS state competition is known for its rigorous standards. Students present their experiments in small groups, judged based on the criteria of scientific thought, experimental methods, analytical approach, presentation quality, and judges' opinion.