Bloomsburg, Pa. — The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum (BCM) is celebrating the outstanding performance of its sponsored students at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Region Five spring meeting.
These young scientists, who were top performers at the museum’s 11th Annual Science Fair held on Jan. 22 at the Bloomsburg Fire Hall, continued their success by earning multiple awards, special recognitions, and qualifications to advance to the state competition.
Region Five encompasses 10 Pennsylvania counties and brought together junior and senior high school students to present original research in physical science, biological science, engineering, behavioral science, and related disciplines. The spring meeting was held on Feb. 21 at Susquehanna University’s Faylor Hall in the Fisher Science Center.
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum students distinguished themselves with numerous first place awards, which qualifies them for the PJAS State Meet, sectional top honors, cash plaque awards, perseverance trophies, and other placements.
“We are thrilled with the dedication and talent these students have shown, from our 11th Annual Museum Science Fair in January through to this regional success,” said Dr. Ginny Weibel, museum executive director. “Their projects demonstrate creativity, scientific thinking, and perseverance, values we work hard to cultivate through our hands-on exhibits, educational programs, and annual science fair.”
Bloomsburg Children’s Museum student achievements at PJAS Region Five
Junior High Biological Science
- Saanvi Khara, 7th grade: “Soap vs. Sanitize” – First award (top points in section), advancing to state.
- Amelia Ridings, 7th grade: “The Great CO2 Consumer – Which Plant is the Best Purifier?” – First Award, advancing to state.
Senior High Biological Science
- Blake Rothermel, 10th grade: “Staged Fertilizer Design for Pea Microgreen Growth” – First award, advancing to state. Blake also received a Perseverance Award trophy for four years of regional participation.
Senior High Physical Science
- Ben Kremser, 10th grade, ENG: “Perfect Pitch: Evaluating Wind Turbine Blade Angles” – second award.
- Charlie Corbeill, 11th grade: “Bridging the Gap – Which Span is Strongest?” – First award, advancing to state. Charlie received a Perseverance Award trophy for three years of regional participation.
- Tim Farwell: “Testing Critical Angle of Attack Using a Wind Tunnel” – First award, advancing to state. Tim received a Perseverance Award trophy for three years of regional participation.
Junior High Physical Science (Unit 004) – Fisher G18
Landon Secules, a 7th grade homeschooled student from Danville, earned top points in Jr. High Physical Science and overall top points score at the regional competition.
- Landon Secules, 7th grade: “How Does Bat Material Affect Hitting Performance?” – First award, advancing to state. Landon also won the top score overall at the regional competition in all sections.
- Jane Patterson, 7th grade: “Hats Off to Thermodynamics” – First award, $25 for highest overall score in Junior High Physical Science, advancing to state.
- Kai Hong, 7th grade: “Sunny Solar Ovens” – First award, advancing to state.
Junior High Behavioral Science (Unit 005) – Fisher G18
- Georgia Friedenberg, 8th grade, BEH: “Shining the Light on Fear!” – Second award.
- Selia Mena, 8th grade, BEH: “Skittles: Does Color Affect Taste?” – Second award.
The students who earned First Awards will advance to the PJAS State Meet, scheduled for May 17 through May 19, at Penn State University Main Campus, where the top regional winners from across Pennsylvania will compete.
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum congratulates every one of these remarkable students and looks forward to supporting the state qualifiers. The museum remains committed to sparking curiosity and scientific exploration through its interactive exhibits, programs, and annual science fair.
