Judges Dino Coverstone, left, and Mike Smith discuss the science projects submitted to this year’s Syracuse Elementary School Science Fair. Thirty projects were submitted by 40 students, and four were selected to represent the school at the regional science fair held at IPFW in March. (Photo by Rebekah Whirledge)

What do eating cereal, creating electricity from lemons, building bridges, absorbing water with paper towels and growing seeds sideways have in common? They are all project subjects in this year’s science fair for kindergarten through fifth graders at Syracuse Elementary School.

“Luckily, there are no volcanos this year,” said Jace Stewart, fifth grade teacher at the school and organizer of the science fair. “Competition was so close and the overall quality of work was absolutely incredible compared to previous years. The projects were all unique and very well prepared. The moms and dads who supported and encouraged their students’ ideas should absolutely be commended. It’s a huge commitment and you can’t do it without them.”

Forty students created 30 science projects for the science fair, which culminated Tuesday evening with an open house and Science Central display funded by the Title One program. Participation in the science fair is not required, but some teachers do give extra credit to students who submit a project, said Stewart.

Judging the event were Suzie Yeager, Dino Coverstone, Mike Smith and Phil Mock. Four projects were selected yesterday to represent the school at the regional science fair to be held at IPFW on Saturday, March 23. They are fifth grader Adrianna Clark’s project, “Can Fruit Produce Electricity as Well as a Battery;” fifth graders Carson Hunter and Dylan DeWitt’s project, “I Screen, You Screen, We All Screen vs. Paper;” fifth graders Hannah Cline and Alexis Carter’s project ,“Mixing with Vinegar;” and fourth grader Karlson Hand’s project, “Are Fingerprints Hereditary.”

Additional grade level winners include:

• Kindergarten: first place, Kennedy Sigerfoos; and second place Rhys Jonsson
• First grade: first place, Allison Clark; second place, Lily McCulloch; and third place tie, Emma Yoder and Titus Taylor
• Second grade: first place, David Anderson; second place, Abby Cline and Zach Carter; and third place, Kyla Baldwin
• Third grade: first place, Lysa Scott; second place, Jeb Richey; and third place, Mariah and Keegan Hurst
• Fourth grade: second place, Ava Harker; and third place, Adaylia Hall and Bailey Smith
• Fifth grade: third place tie, Laura Scott and the team of Rebekah and Esther Whirledge