Pictured in back from left are Alexis Kleinfelder, Tatum Bensink, Olivia Grover (honorable mentions) and Emily Hall (third place). In front are Isabelle Dawson (grand prize), Wyatt Stroth (first place), Connor Goulding (second place) and Alice Scarpine (third place). Submitted photo

Chautauqua Lake Elementary students and staff on March 16 hosted their annual science fair for parents and community members.

The fair showcases science projects completed by Chautauqua Lake’s fifth grade students under the direction of teacher Shari Tennies. Last year’s science fair was not open to the public due to COVID restrictions.

“We were excited to welcome visitors again so we decided to make the event bigger and better,” said Elementary Principal Megan Lundgren.

The event was expanded to showcase enrichment, art and makerspace projects, and included an interactive tour of the building’s new Makerspace classroom as well as a Wax Museum created by fourth grade students.

Fifth grade students worked on their projects for about two months.

Projects were judged by a group of high school physics science students using specific criteria. Isabelle Dawson was the grand prize winner for her project, “Nuclear Fusion.”

In addition, fourth grade students created a Wax Museum in which they dressed up as an historical figure that they researched. Students completed a biography project on an influential person from history and were essentially “frozen in time.” Students changed their hair and clothing, memorized a short speech and brought props to show the accomplishments of that individual.

Visitors learned about individuals including Rosa Parks, Galileo, Lucille Ball, King Tut, Anne Frank, Alexander Graham Bell, Barack Obama, Sacagawea, Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln and Marie Curie.

“I am so proud of the hard work, creativity and determination that every fourth grader put into their research and biography presentation,” said fourth grade teacher Emily Abbotoy. “Each influential figure came to life during the Wax Museum, it was truly a wonderful experience for all.”