Elizabethtown College Students Serve as Judges for Junior High Science Fair

Elizabethtown College A. C. Baugher Professor of Chemistry James MacKay and a group of nine Blue Jay students recently served as judges for a junior high science fair, held for a local homeschool community.

“The organizers were really pleased with our Etown students,” MacKay said. “They commented on their professionalism, enthusiasm, and the encouraging input they gave the junior high students.”

Etown student Alexa Scheetz ’25 interacting with a participant of junior high science fair

The event was held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Etown for homeschooled junior high students of the Harrisburg area, which was hosted by Classical Conversations, an international classical Christian homeschool organization. 

The Classical Conversations curriculum includes a science fair for students at the 7^th and 8^th grade level called, “Challenge A,” which is held each year. This year, nine Etown students across three disciplines volunteered for the opportunity to judge at the event and work with the students.

“I saw our Etown students asking great questions, showing a ton of interest, and being the type of student that I’m proud of as an educator,” MacKay said. “The fact that they gave up their weekend to volunteer for this event speaks to the passion they have for our College’s motto of ‘Educate For Service.’”

For this year’s fair, 17 junior high students came from the Elizabethtown and Mechanicsburg communities to present their projects. The student’s work ranged from subjects in chemistry, physics, food science, and more.

“I was truly impressed by the care, effort, and work these junior high-level students displayed for their presentations,” Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) major Kaylynn Leap ’23 said. “They were all excited to talk about science and I hope I was able to share my love for science back. The world always needs more scientists, and I am confident these students will rise to the occasion with splendor.”

“It was a pleasure to connect with the local community to inspire and be inspired by the young scientists of tomorrow,” BMB major Tristan Mabee ’24 exclaimed.