Fredonia Schools Science Fair: A Celebration of Innovation and LearningBy Lumen IhongFredonia, AZ – The Fredonia Schools Science Fair, held on February 26, 2025, was a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and scientific discovery. The event brought together students, teachers, and community members for an evening filled with engaging experiments, hands-on learning, and a thrilling Egg Drop Challenge that had everyone eagerly watching.One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the Egg Drop Challenge, which began at 5:30 p.m. Thanks to the support of the Kanab Fire Department, a 45-foot-high ladder truck was used to drop the students' carefully engineered egg-protection devices. The audience gathered outside near the school’s front doors, standing together in anticipation as each contraption was put to the test. Participants, along with their parents and teachers, had worked diligently the day before to construct their designs, with a final 30-minute adjustment period before the big drop. Cheers and gasps erupted as eggs plummeted from the towering height, some safely cushioned by their protective enclosures while others met a different fate. In an impressive display of engineering skill, 19 out of 27 eggs survived the drop, demonstrating the students' ingenuity in designing protective structures. The winners of the challenge included Emberlyn Wilmarth, Gisela Chacon, Alana Nelson, Nyhree Pikyavit-Serawop, Ezra Cram, Zoey Smith, Eliza Webster, Hunter Johnson, Connor Jensen, Lily Hamlin, Bristol Palmer, Stephen Langston, Sierra Cluff, Amethyst Bunting, Brian Humphries, Aiden Begay, Arianna Till, Lumen Ihong, and Juvyl Ihong.Beyond the excitement of the Egg Drop, the Science Experiment Competition highlighted the impressive ingenuity and scientific curiosity of students across all grade levels. The Grand Champion title was awarded to Nashton Wright, a fifth grader, for his outstanding project, “The Buzz About Electricity: DIY Electromagnetic Motor.”First place winners included Charles Jacob Lomahquahu for "Potato Battery: The Future of Eco-Friendly Electricity," the First/Second Grade Class for "Visualizing Sound Waves Using Skewers," Leah Johnson, Natalie Ashley, Lily Hamlin, and Zakerius Wilmarth for "Crystal Geodes," Quinn Till for "Charles' Law of Experiment," Josiah Chacon, Aiden Begay, Journey Tom, and McKenzie Beecroft for "Ball Launcher," the Kindergarten Class for "Cool Beans," Carrson Cluff for "Does the Type of Soil You Use Affect a Plant's Growth?" Lainie Heaton and Kyra Ganimian for "Soda and Mentos," and Danni Waters for "Music and Plants."Second place honors were awarded to Kaylee Burke, Adriana Nieves, and Koda Uncasam for "Static Wonders: Exploring Balloon-Powered Paper Bird Flight," Roberto Dela Torre Valenzuela for "Zesty Voltage: The Lemon Battery Experiment," Kenzie Heaton for "Family Fingerprints," and Aven New and Paisley Spear for "Celery and Water Experiment."Third place winners included Stephen Langston for "Bottle Rocket," Bristol Palmer, Sierra Cluff, and Alana Nelson for "Which Will Make Your Teeth the Dirtier?" Lily Johnson for "What Cleaner Is Stronger?" and Vasey Yellowhorse for "Lemon Battery."The science fair was more than just a competition; it was an opportunity for students to explore, experiment, and share their findings with the community. The event fostered hands-on learning, encouraged teamwork, and inspired a love for science among students of all ages. With the enthusiastic support of teachers, parents, and local organizations, this year’s science fair was a testament to the bright future of young scientists in Fredonia.