Innovation was on full display at the Regional Science Fair held at Minnesota State University (MSU) on April 25, where three standout students from St. Clair demonstrated that the future of engineering and biology is in very capable hands.
Following weeks of refining research and polishing poster boards, Bearet Meerbeek, Addison Curry, and Morgan Curry represented their community against nearly a hundred entries from across the region. Their efforts were rewarded with top honors and praise from a judging panel that included members of the MSU engineering program. The MSU judges were seen smiling throughout the presentations, frequently noting the genuine intrigue and “future engineer” potential in the room.
The regional fair featured a diverse array of inquiries, ranging from the practical to the whimsical. Students presented findings on:
- The (in)effectiveness of soaking fruit to maintain freshness.
- The absorbency of flowers when exposed to food coloring.
- The impact of various beverages on dental health.
- The safety of dog kisses (which, much to some owners’ chagrin, were proven unsafe).
- The nesting preferences of squirrels (favoring the northwest side of homes).
The St. Clair delegation returned home with prestigious ribbons and category awards:
- Bearet Meerbeek (6th Grade): Earned a purple ribbon and secured 3rd place overall in the Family and Consumer Science Category. Meerbeek engineered “Cozy Cat Construction,” a study in thermal efficiency. Using R-11 Kraft fiberglass, Meerbeek designed and tested insulated beds for his cats—Ivan, Billy, and Eddie. By measuring temperature retention across various materials, he successfully created a warmer habitat for his outdoor-loving felines.
- Addison Curry (5th Grade): Earned a purple ribbon and 2nd place overall in the Biology Category. Curry explored the world beneath our feet with “What’s in the Muck?” After gathering local mud samples, she introduced various organic and inorganic materials, including egg yolks and plastics, to observe environmental reactions over several weeks. One notable result included a vivid dark-green layer of bacteria in a sample containing egg yolk. For Addison, the best part of the scientific process was simply “getting to play in the mud.”
- Morgan Curry (4th Grade): Awarded a blue ribbon and the specialized Janice Guldan Alternative Agriculture and Sustainability Award. Curry took a continental approach to her research, conducting an extensive study on soil textures. With samples sourced from as far as Tallahassee, Florida, South Padre Island, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona—procured with the help of her well-traveled aunt—Morgan compared the natural compositions of soil against her local St. Clair samples.
From the structural integrity of pasta bridges to the optimal lighting for egg-laying hens, the fair proved that the spirit of inquiry is thriving in the next generation. Congratulations to Bearet, Addison, and Morgan on their remarkable achievements and for representing St. Clair with such distinction.
