Science Fair Showcases Chester's Little Einsteins

Almost 500 students, 354 projects, 85 professionsal, 80 judges and scores of observers all combined Saturday for Black River Middle School's 33rd Annual Chester Science Fair. 

"This is way more than a science fair," said seventh-grade science teacher and the science fair teacher coordinator Rebecca Keane.  "It is a chance for kids to do some serious work presented to visiting judges."

The science fair is supported by a number of corporate sponsors including Bayer, Regeneron, French's, Merrill Lynch, Liberty Science Center, New York Pizza and Edmund Scientifics.

In addition to the student exhibits, unique exhibits were presented by groups within and outside the community, including:

• Skull Collection from Daneen Aromando
• Adjunct at Veterinary Technology – Bergen Community College
• Shark! Shark!! Shark!!! And Marine Life Touch Tables from NJ Aquarium
• Chester Garden Club and Environmental Commission
• Circus Science Activity Zone;
• Delaware Valley Raptor Center, Chester Township Police Department’s Demonstration of Stalker Radar Unit “How Fast Can You Throw”
• Morris County 4H Youth Development “Measuring Ourselves”
• Morris County Mosquito Extermination Commission
• MCAW (Morris County Arts Workshop) Robotics Competition and Food Art
• Nitrogen Magic Show with Dr. Hwang
• Rizzo’s Reptiles – Live Animal Presentation
• Schiff Nature Preserve

There were more than 85 visiting professionals and teachers who give up their day to allow kids to present to them and to defend their work," Keane said. 

According to Keane, the high level of participation and interest is appropriate for the academic event.

"Of 1400 students in the district and there are 483 kids here," Keane said. "Schools spend a lot of time, rightfully so, with athletics and the arts and those kind of showcases, this is a day to showcase more academic things."