Three Horizon Honors students won awards at the premier science fair competition in Arizona March 26-27 with one landing the possibility of heading to a national contest.
Horizon Honors winners were:
Violet Holst, a fifth grader, who took second place in the elementary division for her investigation into the physiological causes of “brain freeze.”
Trinn Lim, and eighth grader who conducted a study on the influence of social media personalities on teenage skincare routines. She won first place in the junior division for Behavioral and Social Science and is also a Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Nominee.
Trinn also may be tapped to compete in the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge, but won’t find out until later this year, according to Adam Holst, Horizon Honors science fair director.
Damian Wood, a sophomore to was awarded the Water Environment Foundation’s Junior Water Prize for his study of “sustainable waxes for reducing plant water loss.”
The Arizona Science and Engineering fair took place at Desert Financial Arena at Arizona State University. Awards were handed out March 28 at the Arizona Science Center.
Horizon Honors had five projects in the state fair, which featured divisions for elementary, junior high, and senior high students. The elementary division comprises fifth and sixth grades, the junior division includes seventh and eighth, and the senior division, 9th-12th grades.
This was Horizon Honors third year participating in the state competition.
Last year Horizon Honors students won two awards in the junior division, taking home a first place win in the mathematical science category and a third place in the environmental science category.
The students qualified for the state fair by being selected among the top entries in the local school fair last month at Horizon Honors.
“The level of inquiry and dedication shown by our students this year was truly impressive,” said Holst.
“From environmental sustainability to the analysis of influencer tactics on young people, these projects reflect the rigorous academic standards and curiosity we foster at Horizon Honors.”
Added Principal Stacy Dietz: “Our students continue to push the boundaries of what is expected at the K-12 level. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and success as they competed against the best in the state at ASU.”
Horizon Honors is a tuition-free public charter in Ahwatukee, serving students in grades K-12.
The school boasts of being “a continuous learning community that focuses on academic excellence, community involvement, and the development of critical thinking skills.”