Science students earn awards at ASU

Junior Drew McFall with his Science Fair project.

Shyla Clayton
March 30, 2016

This was another stellar year for BIC students at the ASU Science Fair.

Drew McFall, 11, was awarded second place over all at the ASU Science Fair. He also received first place in the Engineering, Electrical, and Mechanical Category. He won a Soybean Challenge award of $300 and is a qualifier for a $1,000 Soybean Science Challenge award at state. He also won the Stockholm Water award and second place in Junior Academy.

Stephanie Atchley, 11, received honorable mention in Junior Academy. Kaytie Castanon, 12, received third place in Junior Academy.

Photo provided by Mandy McFall
Senior Olevia Hughes with her Science Fair project.

Olivia Hughes, 12, got second place in the Engineering Electrical and Mechanical Category. She also got a Air Force and a Navy award. Nikki Gordon, 12, got second place in the Energy and Transportation Category, first place in Junior Academy, an Arizona State Watson Sustainability award and a Navy award.

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I really enjoyed getting second place and I hope to get first next year.

— Drew McFall

All of these students will compete in the State Science Fair, and McFall will be going to Nationals at Phoenix.

“My project was in Engineering Electrical and Mechanical,” McFall, 11, said. “It was application and testing of a irrigation advanced system sensory unit for water management. It focused on getting a collection of sensors in a box ready for field application this year’s growing season and the next to see how water flows vertically and horizontally in irrigation. I really enjoyed getting second place and I hope to get first next year. I’ve got third place over all the past two years, this is my third year representing BIC and the state of Arkansas as a whole in Intel ISEF in Phoenix. I am really excited to go back and see my friends and the other countries that participate in that.”

Senior Nikki Gordon with her Science Fair project. Among other awards, Gordon received first place in Junior Academy.

“It centered around creating a compost box, my main goal was to find a way to better the environment and also help out a city with their money problems,” Gordon,, 12, said. “In our area we have elderly people that have to use every bit of money that they have for the medications they need. I found a website that said a city can use a compost box to save money instead of using trash pickups. I decided to test different types of compost boxes and what foods would work in them. I found out that citizens could save up to a $120 a year. At Science Fair I ended up winning Junior Academy where you talk about your project, like a presentation. I also received the Arizona State Watson Sustainability award which is granted to one student that they believe had the best project in sustainability and with that award I have chance to win up to $3,500 dollars from a writing competition. I also received the Navy award where they had two Navy men go round and talk to participants and if they like your project or you gave a good speech they gave the award to you.”

Students were under the direction of science teacher Mandy McFall.