This month, six St. Mary’s College of Maryland faculty members from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and eight SMCM students were judges at the 56th annual St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair. The fair was held at Great Mills High School, and drew middle school, high school and home-schooled students from all over the county. It is also a “feeder” event for the regional science fair in Prince George’s County.
“Judging the competition gives chemistry and biochemistry students an opportunity to get out and participate and engage with the community,” notes Associate Professor Al Hovland, chair of the fair board for the past 31 years.
Students compete by showcasing projects in approximately 20 categories. The judges select category winners along with two Grand Award winners who are selected as “best in show” for their age brackets. One student also wins more than a plaque: St. Mary’s College of Maryland offers one student a four-year scholarship if they are accepted and choose to attend the school.
One of this year’s winners, Allyson Myers, is currently a sophomore at Great Mills High School—and the daughter of an SMCM alumna. “Allyson was really excited to hear that she had won the award and is strongly considering St Mary’s for her college experience,” Professor Hovland reported. He hopes that she will come to St. Mary’s, as a number of previous years’ winners have.
Faculty (in no particular order): Dr. Allan K. Hovland, Dr. Andrew S. Koch, Dr. Pamela S. Mertz, Dr. Troy Townsend, Dr. Kelly Neiles, and Mr. Douglas Hovland. Students (in no particular order): Ethan Hain, Jacob Bernhardt, Barry Liang, Leah Dignan, Lucas Irwin, Suzy Cahn, Elizabeth Brown, and Gabby Leather.