Buckhannon, WV - Two young scientists from the district made an impressive showing at this year’s WV State Science Fair, earning recognition for their curiosity, creativity, and academic dedication.
Ben Explores the Physics of Motion and Wins 1st Place
During a brief hallway interview with his teacher, eighth grader Ben shared the inspiration behind his project, “Wheee! How Much Track to Loop the Loop?” A longtime fan of physics, Ben said he chose the topic because, “I was always interested in the physics of motion.”
His project examined the relationship between gravitational potential energy, velocity, and track geometry, specifically how much track is required for an object to complete a full loop.
Reflecting on the competition at the state level, Ben admitted the environment felt different from what he was used to. “There was more competition than I’m used to,” he said, acknowledging that the intensity added pressure. Still, he entered the judging with confidence and represented the district proudly.
Liezl Earns Honorable Mention with Radio Frequency Research
Fourth grader Liezl also brought home recognition, earning an Honorable Mention for her project, “What Materials Block Radio Frequencies?”
A licensed HAM radio operator, Liezl drew directly from her real-world experience to explore how different materials affect radio communication. Her passion for radio technology doesn’t stop at experimentation—she recently passed the Amateur Extra exam, achieving the highest level of certification available to amateur radio operators.
This accomplishment is impressive for any enthusiast—but extraordinary for a fourth grader.
A Strong Showing for Young Innovators
Both students demonstrated remarkable dedication to scientific inquiry and hands-on learning. Their projects, grounded in personal interests and supported by hours of testing and research, reflect the strength of the district’s STEM programming and the curiosity of its young learners.
Their teachers and families expressed pride in their achievements, noting that their success at the state fair is only the beginning for these promising future engineers, scientists, and innovators.