The Colorado Mineral Society

The 56th Annual
Colorado Science and Engineering Fair Report

2011 SCIENCE FAIR REPORT
By Jerry Kiefer

On Thursday, April 7, seven members of the Colorado Mineral Society had the pleasure of serving as judges for the Fifty-Sixth Annual Colorado Science and Engineering Fair, held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. CMS is one of a number of organizations that provide special awards for the competition that brings together interesting displays representing the research projects of junior and senior high school students from throughout the state. CMS is the only private organization that has presented a special award during the entire 56-year history of the state science fair. Don Bray, Ben Geller, Bruce Geller, Bill Hutchinson, Debbie Kalschuer, Paul Ralston and Eva Siemonsma reviewed those that had an Earth Science theme, and then interviewed the student researchers. After difficult deliberation, they chose the following as deserving of recognition by CMS:

Senior Division, First Place: Sophia Schneider, 9th grade, Palmer High School, Colorado
Springs. The title of Sophia’s project: "Can Geosequestration and Geothermal Energy Work Together? Enhanced Geothermal Systems Using CO2." Sophia was the CMS Junior Division First Place winner in 2010.

Senior Division, Second Place: Rebecca Roskowski, 11th grade, Grand Junction High School, Grand Junction. The title of Rebecca’s project "Reclamation and Revegetation of Spent Oil Shale."

Junior Division, First Place: Samantha Staynings, 8th grade, Summit Middle School, Boulder. The title of Samantha’s project: "Growth and Sound: Frequencies in Relation with Crystals."

Junior Division, Second Place: Aleesa Muir, 7th grade, The Classical Academy, Colorado Springs The title of Aleesa’s project: "Analyzing the Deteriorating Effects of Acid Precipitation on Natural Landscaping."

Each of the winners received a copy of Roadside Geology of Colorado and a check, $40 for the First Place winners, and $25 for the Second Place winners. Each also received a Certificate of Achievement and mineral specimens from the Colorado Mineral Society and from the Flatirons Mineral Club.

This is an enjoyable project for the judges. We are always amazed at the talent we see in these young people. If you would like to see any or all of the project abstracts, please get in touch with Jerry Kiefer (jerrykiefer@comcast.net). Any CMS member who would like to participate in the experience next year should make one of this year’s judges aware of your interest.