Monroeville students win at state science competition

MONROEVILLE — The Ohio Academy of Science State Science Day results were released on Friday, and Scarlett Shupe and Kiahna Smith, two fifth-grade students from Monroeville Elementary School, earned a superior rating for their science project. A Superior rating is the highest possible rating that can be earned. The girls also won the Dr. Lynn E. Elfner Young Scientist Award, which was awarded by the Ohio Academy of Science Staff for outstanding science projects in grades 5 to 8. The young scientist award comes with a $100 prize. The girls started working on their science project in November. They spent a few weeks designing and building their project apparatus and several more weeks observing how different gear combinations affect torque. Their science project was inspired by their experience with robotics at Monroeville Elementary School, which is where they first learned about gear combinations and torque. The Ohio Academy of Science, which was established in 1891, is a non-profit organization that promotes science and science education in Ohio. The OAS governs the state science competition, which ordinarily takes place at The Ohio State University, but was held virtually this year. This year marks the 74th year that the organization has been hosting science competitions for students in Ohio. Even Neil Armstrong competed at an OAS governed event when he was a high school student. The state science competition is the highest pinnacle of scientific research for students in grades 5 to 12. To compete at the state competition, students had to qualify by earning a superior rating at a regional science fair. In all, there are 17 different regions to account for all of the counties in Ohio. More than 600 students from schools all over Ohio entered the state science competition. Kiahna and Scarlett were the only two students from Huron and Erie counties to compete at both the regional and state event.