Colleagues,

We are always excited to share interesting ideas and activities that have proven successful in one or more of our MAVA schools. Today we are pleased to share an idea from our colleagues at Southeastern Regional.

Southeastern Regional, for the past 11 years, has conducted an “Independent Scientific Research Fair”. Participation is optional and students who took part in the fair are working toward earning honors level credit in their science course through Southeastern’s “Deeper Learning Initiative”.

You will find more information below and some photos of the projects.

David

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

Southeastern Regional Hosts 11th Annual Independent Scientific Research Fair

Southeastern held its 11th Annual Independent Scientific Research Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 7. A total of 72 students representing a majority of Southeastern’s vocational programs showcased their work. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

SOUTH EASTON — Southeastern Regional students were proud to present dozens of projects at the 11th Annual Independent Scientific Research Fair.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Southeastern held its annual science research fair. A total of 72 students representing a majority of Southeastern’s vocational programs presented their work, and school staff members and teachers were invited to visit the fair during the school day to see the displayed projects.

The students’ projects were evaluated against a grading rubric and scored by staff. Numerous teachers, school committee members, administrators, clerical staff, counselors, paraprofessionals and other staff members volunteered as judges.

The project topics differed for each student, however students had selected one of two pathways for their project: an engineering project where the goal was to engineer a new design or invention, or a scientific method project for which they answered a question by completing an experiment and collecting data.

The following are the top three scoring projects:

Valdir Santos and Vladimir Delice, both juniors of Brockton, received the top score for “The Wooden T Tank.”
Kimberly Mathieu, a junior of Brockton, for “Turning Heat into Electricity”
Chris-Ander Paraison, a junior of Brockton, for “Heartburn Helpers”

Honorable Mentions:

Matthew Milne, a junior of East Bridgewater, Jason Wong, a junior of Brockton, and Isaac Pena, a junior of Brockton, for “Creating an E-Bike”
Julianna Chisholm, a junior of East Bridgewater, and Britney Valdez, a junior of Brockton, for “High Tide vs Low Tide”
Tess Combis, a junior of Norton, for “Effects of Beverages on Singing Voice”
Edu De Oliveira, a junior of Brockton, for “Water Tower Distribution”
Tiago Oliveira, a junior of Brockton, for “Charging Wires”
Sophia Arvin, a junior of Brockton, for “Digesting the Pain”
Benjamin Messana, a junior of Easton, for "Water Powered Engine”

The top three projects received monetary prizes: $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. The prizes were funded by a $2,000 prize awarded to instructor Christine Garabedian, who was named Teacher of the Year in 2022 at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair. The other participating students received an equal portion of the remaining funds.

The projects by De Oliveira, Arvin, Paraison, and Santos and Delice were also approved by the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF) to present at the Bridgewater State University Region V High School Science & Engineering Fair, which will take place on March 4.

“Every project showcased in this year’s Scientific Research Fair was unique and inventive, and proved that our students are thoughtful, dedicated learners,” said Garabedian. “This event allows our students to pursue a science-related topic that they are interested in, as well as develop and apply the skills they learn both in their academic courses and vocational programs. I’m so proud of all of their hard work and offer a special congratulations to the students with the top three scoring projects.”

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Valdir Santos (right) and Vladimir Delice, both juniors of Brockton, received the top score this year with their project, ‘The Wooden T Tank.'(Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

Kimberly Mathieu, a junior of Brockton, received second place for her project, ‘Turning Heat into Electricity.’ (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

Chris-Ander Paraison, a junior of Brockton, received third place for his project, ‘Heartburn Helpers.’ (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

From left: Isaac Pena, a junior of Brockton, Jason Wong, a junior of Brockton, and Matthew Milne, a junior of East Bridgewater, received Honorable Mention recognition for their project, ‘Creating an E-Bike.’ (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

Tess Combis, a junior of Norton, received Honorable Mention recognition for her project, ‘Effects of Beverages on Singing Voice.’ (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

Sophia Arvin, a junior of Brockton, received Honorable Mention recognition for her project, ‘Digesting the Pain.’ (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)

Southeastern Regional’s 11th Annual Independent Scientific Research Fair took place in the gymnasium on Tuesday, Feb. 7. School staff members and teachers were invited to visit the fair during the school day to see the displayed projects. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational School District)