Oakdale students from kindergarten through eighth grade dusted off their beakers, pulled out their scales and searched the Web to gather ideas to submit for the 32nd Annual Science Fair. Students from all four elementary schools, as well as Oakdale Junior High School, were represented in this year’s event.

Projects were set up for display at the FES Hall on Monday, April 27, which was followed by judging. The event was open to the community on the evening of Wednesday, April 29. Awards were given the evening of Thursday, April 30.

“I am so excited that this year’s 32nd Annual Science Fair was such a success,” Magnolia Vice Principal and District Science Fair Coordinator Kathy Jenkins said, “and appreciate all of the students, teachers, and parents that supported and guided our budding scientists.”

Fair Oaks Fourth Grade and first year participant, Sam Rodriguez was one such participant. The student honestly shared, a portion of his motivation came with the desire of earning a better science grade.

Sam’s timely project focused on the study of converting salt water to fresh water. The fourth grader used a number of sources for his research, including a visit to the Oakdale Irrigation District office. A pamphlet was provided, which the student eagerly shared with visitors to his exhibit.

“I knew I would get smarter,” the nine-year-old said of the overall outcome. “I will do it next year … maybe.”

Eight-year-old Cloverland second grader, Emory Harned, studied the effects of temperature on a tennis ball with his ‘How the Ball Bounces’ project, comparing a frozen ball to a heated ball and their overall performance.

“If you heat it up, the gas is going to make it crazier,” Emory said of his findings. “Like a spring.”

Of the 170 projects submitted, 39 were selected to move on to the County Science Fair later this month. Of the 39, 13 were from Magnolia, seven from Cloverland, eight from Fair Oaks, five from Sierra View and six from OJHS.

“The event would not have been possible without the support of a fabulous Science Fair Committee comprised of Krista Smith, Janet Hamby, Jennifer Davis and Jeff Aprile,” Jenkins said of her committee peers.

For a full list of awards given to participants and names of students advancing to county competition, visit www.oakdale.k12.ca.us.