DHS wins in county science fair, heads to state

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Sixteen students from Desert High School took the top spots when they participated in the Kern County Science Fair at the Rabobank Convention Center in Bakersfield, Calif., on March 21. 

The students received several awards including four first-place finishes, eight in second place and four in third place. The school also received a Perpetual High School Science Fair Achievement trophy for the most number of wins and participants.

"I am totally thrilled," said Debbie Lewis, DHS science fair coordinator and biology and anatomy teacher. "I am proud of my students." 

The school usually performs well in the Kern County competition, Mrs. Lewis said. Prior to the competition in the county, the school had a science fair that featured approximately 115 projects. 

"We made it mandatory for all the students," she said. "Out of the 115 projects, we selected the top 20 to participate in the county." 

This amounted to what she said is the reason why the school performed well. 

"We really do want the students to do a good job," Mrs. Lewis said. "If they are going to do it, they should do it well." 

The students prepared for four months and presented their projects. After the top 20 were selected, the school winners still needed to prepare for the county science fair. These preparations included performing more tests, researching more about the projects and conducting a mock interview with the school judges. 

"We knew their projects were good," Mrs. Lewis said. "We just asked them to read their project again. The judges from the school science fair also asked them questions to prepare for the county science fair." 

During the Kern County Science Fair, students were subjected to a 50-minute interview with two to four judges. After the wins in Kern County, the students who placed second and third are on their way for much needed preparation. 

"State competition is intense," Mrs. Lewis said. "Every judge has a (doctorate)." 

After the Kern County competition, the students just need to do some changes recommended by the county judges, she said.

The California State Science Fair is on May 21 and 22 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.