Laughlin members take time to judge local science fairs

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ashley Wolfe
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  School children all across Del Rio have spent the past two days competing in their schools' science fairs with hopes of walking away with the first place prize.

January 19 - 20 marked the annual science fairs at Lamar Elementary, East Side Elementary, Del Rio Middle School and Del Rio High School. Airmen from Laughlin volunteered their time to judge the projects at the fairs.

"These fairs really help the kids, especially kindergarten through fifth grade, learn and understand the scientific method," said Dana Sanders, the gifted and talented program instructor at Lamar Elementary.

Children at each school complete and present a science project. Some schools, such as Lamar Elementary, divide the projects into different categories like life science, earth science, physical science, chemistry, botany, earth and space, environmental science and physics.

The projects are graded on different criteria including creativity, scientific method and the child's understanding of the project.

The first and second place winners of the science fair at each school will move on to compete at the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District science fair Feb. 3, at the Del Rio Civic Center.

"The chance to work with local kids was a great experience for me," said Airman 1st Class Justin Baez, 47th Operations Support Squadron. "All the projects I saw were very well thought out and the kids really seemed to enjoy the experience."

All the schools were very appreciative of the hard work Laughlin members contributed to the science fairs.

"The East Side Elementary Science Fair went extremely smooth thanks to the wonderful volunteers. Everyone showed up promptly and they were all very thorough. We just want to let Laughlin Air Force Base know how wonderful the judges were and how much we appreciated their commitment to our cause," said Heather Lee, the gifted and talented program instructor at East Side Elementary.

Alejandra Torres, the Pre-Advanced Placement Chemistry teacher at Del Rio High School said, "They took the time to listen to the student's presentations. The students really appreciated their comments and suggestions. This was a great experience."

If you are interested in volunteering at the Feb. 3 SFDRCISD science fair at the Del Rio Civic Center, contact 2nd Lt. Ashley Wolfe at 830-298-4752.