Catholic schools high achievers at science fair: ‘Science strengthens faith’

By Carissa Krautscheid

Eight Catholic schools across the Diocese of Tucson had high achieving students at the 69th annual SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Catholic school students and classes won an impressive 46 awards at the science fair, including many first, second, or third place awards for various categories. The full list of winners from Catholic schools is below.

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in mid-Tucson earned four first place awards and three second place awards. These research projects were all conducted by class groups ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Emily Penning is the second-grade science teacher at Saints Peter and Paul. With a great passion for science and faith, her two classes won first and second place awards. 

“Every year,” said Penning, “their curiosity and desire for knowledge drives the science experiments we perform. I am constantly surprised by their questions and how they decide to apply the Scientific Method to pursue learning. I am so fortunate and proud to have had such wonderful experiences and, at times, to have learned alongside my students as we explore the wide world around us! Being their guide has truly been a rewarding adventure and I look forward to much more in the years to come.”

Mrs. Penning’s class won first place for testing “environmentally friendly packaging against traditional bubble wrap to see what would work better,” she said. “This included us growing our own packaging from mushroom mycelium! Many of the experiments we have done throughout the years have an environmental aspect as we also learn about being good stewards of God's creation.”

For Penning, faith is an easy tie-in to her science classes. “Much of the science I teach is about the natural world,” she said. “When I am teaching, it feels very normal to pause and ask the students why they think God made something or to note that God's creation is remarkable. I find that if I am excited to connect creation or scientific concepts back to God, the students are quick to follow along. Soon, they usually start making observations about God's involvement on their own. They might be wondering why God made hurricanes possible and then learning why extreme weather is important to our global climate and food production. They might be mentioned in a prayer of thanksgiving for the world God has created. My goal is always to point the students back to God as the originator of all that is around us.”

Other experiments performed by Penning’s second grade classes include experimenting salt levels for brine shrimp, testing if superworms eat plastic, researching bug protein as an alternative food source, designing robots from household objects, and mapping insect species across Tucson. “I really love science and I love what my students have been able to do over the years!” said Penning.

“For me, the intersection of science and faith in God is twofold,” said Penning. “God is the Creator and science is the way we are able to explore and discover His creations. I think there is a form of worship in the exploration of science if you take time to be in awe of God's handiwork. The world is a strange, incredible place and the more I learn about it, the more amazed I am by the intricacies woven into the natural world by God's hands. 

“I also think the exploration of science is a natural extension of ourselves in how God created us,” said Penning. “Genesis says that we are made in God's image, and I believe He gave us an innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge. I believe God wants to share His creation with us and that there is value in the study of science because, if done correctly, it should be something that supports and strengthens our faith.”

Congratulations to the Catholic schools’ science fair winners!

Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School

• 2nd place: “Fly trap bait experiment” by Emily
• 2nd place: “Will sheep wool win?” by Giada
• 2nd place: “Does highlighting actually help?” by Isabella
• 3rd place: “That’s HOT!” by Gianna
• 3rd place: “Does exercise have an effect on memory?” by Arlette
• 3rd place: “Smelling roses” by Kimberly
• 3rd place: “Superworms vs. mealworms” by Maria
• 3rd place: “How to keep those fresh cut flowers alive” by Quinn
• 3rd place: “The effects of priming on human food preferences” by Selena
• Sponsor award: “Ice ice baby” by Dylan
• Sponsor award: “What is the best heat protectant?” by Genevieve

Saint Cyril of Alexandria Catholic School

• 1st place: “May the starch be with you: what rice should grandma eat?” by Simone
• 1st place: “Medicine meltdown: pain relief for grandpa” by Marie
• 1st place: “Testing different types of insulation” by Aaron and Theo
• 2nd place: “Lego earthquake survival” by Mitchell
• 3rd place: “Fruit to Salute! Which fruit has the most sugar?” by Gabriella, Laurel, and Emma
• 3rd place: “The melting rate of organic vs. inorganic ice cream” by Guiliana and Olivia
• 3rd place: “Which fruit has the most water?” by Madison
• Sponsor award: “Desert native vs non desert native plants: effects on nitrates, phosphates, potash, and pH” by Nicholas and William
• Sponsor award: “How well can your brain juggle? A multitasking research project” by Julia and Adele
• Sponsor award: “Staying on your toes: the impact of physical activity on balance in junior high students” by Taran and Jackson

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School

• 1st place: “Saving the people of the Swiss Alps!” by Abigail Molina’s class
• 1st place: “The race track” by Amy Triphan’s class
• 1st place: “Rocket science fair project” by Angela Slagle’s class
• 1st place: “Protecting our packages” by Emily Penning’s class
• 2nd place: “Will it dissolve?” by Emily Penning’s class
• 2nd place: “Come back Pumpkin Jack!” by Lilianna Raptis’ class
• 2nd place: “Water Pollution” by Yvette Urcadez’s class

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School

• 1st place: “Effects of liquid type on corrosion rate of a metal” by Elena
• 2nd place: “Aviation Initiation” by Justin
• 3rd place: “Hey! Put those Fritos down!” by Dante
• 3rd place: “Will the butterflies like sour fruits or sweet fruits?” by Luke
• 3rd place: “Pea Plant Perfection” by Madison
• Sponsor award: “Germ Invasion” by Jayde
• Sponsor award: “Solar Panel Car” by Nico

Immaculate Heart Academy

• 1st place: “Shades, frames, and bases” by Theresa Chavez’s class
• 2nd place: “Automatic basketball rebounder 2.0” by Paul and Ryder
• 3rd place: “ DIY masks for facials” by Amelia, Nora, and Mila
• 3rd place: “Books n’ germs” by Jessica Reichling’s class 
• Sponsor award: “What is the optimal angle for a solar panel to create the most electricity?” by Jaden

Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic School

• 3rd place: “Pickles vs Solar Penl” by Bradley and Dorian
• 3rd place: “Measure the Spatter” by Isabella
• Sponsor award: “How long did it take to dissolve?” by Maite

Saint Joseph Catholic School

• 3rd place: “Natural Essence” by Giordanna
• Sponsor award: “Lotion in Motion” by Irina

Yuma Catholic High School

• Sponsor award: “Hairytale Shampoo” by Julia and Isabella
• Sponsor award: “The effects earthquakes have on structures” by McKenna