CSF - Connecticut Science Fair

It's a bird, it's a plane, no wait, IT'S THE SUN! We awoke this morning to bright rays streaming through our windows. Looking out over Cleveland towards Cleveland Browns Stadium and looking at the flagpole, we realize that the wind is still whipping as strong as ever!

Today's adventures bring a bit more relaxed atmosphere. As we enter the exhibition hall at the Cleveland Convention Center we notice a new, refined appearance. Long after all the students have left, the package peanuts and bubble wrap had been swept away with scraps of duct tape and a few dust bunnies - a magical transformation has occurred. The plush green carpet has been rolled down each aisle and enhances the purple backdrop. What once appeared to be a dingy warehouse has been transformed into a polished exhibition forum, centered with student projects. An air of professionalism permeates the hall. Judging time is rapidly approaching.

The morning brings several activities as well. Our students, Joia, Anna, Lisa, Emily, and Alex travel off with Mr. Muller and Dr. Cooper to visit Cleveland's famed art museum. Mr. Wisner and Mrs. Muller attend a fair director's meeting, and I head off to several teachers' workshops. Alex returns early to meet with other ISEF dignitaries. We all gather in the late afternoon to attend the dinner at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Science Museum - two adjacent facilities on the shore of Lake Erie. We eat a little (some shovel down a lot!) and we go to the IMAX theater for a viewing of Space Station. What an amazing depiction of the assembly of the International Space Station! Although we have broken up into several smaller groups it is amazing how in a crowd of around 3000 people, we keep banging into each other. We take time to meet new people, exchange more pins, and listen to some music.

Once we return to the hotel, Emily, Anna, and Joia ask to meet one on one with Mr. Wisner and myself to practice their project presentations for tomorrow. Each will have approximately 15 minutes with each judge. Our informal judging sessions last approximately an hour a student. I find these discussions with the students amazing. I am awed by their enthusiasm, intelligence, but most of all their passion for science. I am humbled by the opportunity to work with each of them, even if it's just in a small way. I am confident they will represent their schools and our state with pride and honor. We are wrapping things up with Joia at about 12:30 a.m. I think we all need a good rest now for the exciting day tomorrow brings.

FEATURED STUDENT OF THE DAY - ANNA SHEDLETSKY

This evening I had the chance to talk with Anna. She was a tough interview, but she eventually "broke" and shared some great stories. Anna is a junior at Brewster High School in New York. She is actively participating in her school's advanced placement program. She enjoys writing and serves as the Editor in Chief of her school's literary magazine. She is currently working on a fantasy novel that takes place in Pre-Arthurian England. Anna is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), and Science Honor Society.

Anna enjoys playing violin. She has attended string camp at Western Connecticut State University and enjoys working with one of her good friends on composing and playing Celtic duets. They hope to perform together in public at some point

This past November, Anna had the opportunity to travel with her father to China and Japan. She particularly notes how cold it was in China. She shared her amazement of the Great Wall and commented on how clever these ancient builders were by the method of the wall construction. Anna tells me that perhaps someday she would like to study abroad.

I asked Anna to tell me about the most significant or influential 10 minutes of her project. She relayed a story about her participation in Science Horizons. At the awards ceremony, she was disappointed in her overall performance and, knowing the Connecticut Science Fair was two weeks away, refocused her energies. She rewrote and edited her paper, collected more data, and made improvements in her modeling. She tells me that she convinced herself that she did good work and proved it. Working on this project has taught Anna that she really likes Applied Mathematics.

Anna certainly has a vigor and enjoyment of life. She has a contagious laugh and a passion for knowledge. Watch this young lady . . . we are going to see amazing things from her.

Frank LaBanca
Science Teacher, Stamford High School
For the Connecticut Science Fair