KIS STEM Fair

Starting from 2014 November, KIS students had getting information about science fair, which is also called as STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Fair. This science fair had been initially held in 2013 in Branksome Hall, and it is planned as an annual science competition. STEM Fair is a tri-school competition, which means any student from KIS, BHA, and NLCS can participate. By taking a part individually or in a group with two people, participants should research background information for better understanding, and ultimately establish an interesting experiment and take it into an action. Then, if the experiments are finished, KIS students display it in KIS first, and only few people are chosen to go to Branksome Hall and compete with other schools through presentations.

In 2015 STEM Fair, in high school, all of the students in AP Biology class and 9th grades were mandatory in participating in this science fair. There were total about 50 groups in KIS high school, but not everyone got to go to BHA. Only 10 groups got a chance to go to BHA after a harsh selection. In middle school, 10 groups went to BHA. Although they were selected, they had to give another presentations in a big auditorium to the selected participants from KIS, BHA, NLCS, and also to the judges who were going to choose the winners.

After the nervous presentations ended, the winners were finally announced in front of all participants. The prizes were divided into 2 sections, which were 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, and special awards. Special awards were consisted with: communication, health & welfare, environment & sustainability, human innovation & ingenuity, and community & service. Summing up middle and high school KIS students, total 4 groups received prizes out of 20 groups. Karen Lee (7th grade) won the 2nd place in middle school section, and she was the only one to receive prize from the 10 middle school groups. She had done an experiment about “Increasing the energy output of solar panels.” From high school, total 3 groups received prizes. Brandon Noh (10th grade) won the 3rd place in high school section. He conducted an experiment called, “Impact of time and pressure on student performance.” In the special awards, Karla Bae (9th grade) and Jennifer Lee (9th grade) got a prize in health & welfare section. They experimented about “Effects of microwaved water on plant growth.” Lastly, Caitlin Kim (10th grade) and Diana Kim (10th grade) won a prize in community & service section. They conducted an experiment about “Third world refrigerator.” Although not all of the participants weren’t awarded, it was sure for the judges to award their tremendous amount efforts and time they put into this STEM Fair.

2015 STEM Fair was full of success, and we were able to notice students’ eagerness and enjoyment through this competition. 20 groups went to BHA, and 4 groups were awarded. Although not everyone fulfilled their own requirements, they started to dream about next year’s science fair. There is no doubt that all of the participants should receive a big clap of hands from everyone. Thank them for their high engagement in this 2015 STEM Fair, and KIS hopes to see better results next year.