Tehachapi News

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The 21st annual Kern County Regional Science Fair was held April 2 at the Rabobank Convention Center in Bakersfield, and five Tehachapi students scientifically proved the theory that our kids are really smart.

Winners from the Tehachapi were, from Tompkins Elementary School Fallon Bock, Honorable Mention for Materials and Consumer Science, and Emily Crowe, Honorable Mention for Food and Health Science.

Tompkins Principal Traci Minjares said, “This is the first time Tompkins has participated in at least five years. We just brought it back this year. They did a fabulous job. They’re really fabulous girls. ”

Golden Hills Elementary School Principal Pat Thomas said, “It’s really rewarding to see a student get so excited by an academic accomplishment,” of Zachary Haskell, Third Place winner in the Engineering /Mathematics and Games category.

Everett Gallella took First Place for Chemistry and Chemical Reactions, as did Tyler Wilson for Plant Biology. Both attend Valley Oaks Charter School.   

Approximately 700 students in grades 4-12 from 140 Kern County schools competed in many categories ranging from aerodynamics/hydrodynamics to thermochemistry. Entries were judged on scientific thought/engineering goals, creativity, organization, completeness, clarity, effort and motivation. Students had to explain their displays, log books and hypothesis to a panel of judges.

Senior and Middle School Division students placing first, second and in some cases third in categories may be eligible to compete in the 57th annual California Science Fair to be held May 20 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.