Chandler Carter, 13, said he remembers the time his dad went to the Dead Sea in Israel, bringing back a story about how someone can float on water.
“It’s very dense because of the salt,” said Carter, who attends Woodington Middle School.
While Lenoir County Schools geared up for science fair season, he was inspired by his dad’s tale to conduct an experiment to determine whether or not eggs would be able to float on water.
It worked.
He advanced to the Lenoir County Public School Science Fair for his project that demonstrated how eggs can actually float in water depending on how many tablespoons of salt are added.
“I learned salt makes water more dense,” Carter said Thursday after he demonstrated for three science fair judges.
Elementary and middle school students set up various science projects at host site Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School for the annual fair.
The four subject categories were biology and life science, physical and chemical science, technology and engineering, and earth and environmental science.
Judges included 4-H representatives, retired teachers and military members. Three winners are announced from each category to move on to the regional science fair at UNC Wilmington in February.
“If you talk to the kids, they’re excited,” said Contentnea-Savannah seventh-grade science teacher Stephanie Harrell. “Their eyes light up when they tell you all about their projects.”
Some young students hid behind their large display boards as they waited for judges to stop at their station. Projects ranged from the classic volcano and robots, sensory experiments such as “Taste vs. Smell,” and how well various cleaning agents work.
Berry Kennedy anxiously watched from outside the cafeteria as his 9-year-old daughter, Cassidy, waited for judges. She stained tiles and used toothpaste to clean them, predicting which one would clean the best.
“It’s part of her education,” he said. “This experience will help her next year and (with) continuing her education.”
This year, no high schools participated in the science fair, but representatives said they hope to get some older children included next year so the county can see their creative side.
Macy Sanderson, 9, hugged her mom Milicent after she explained which side of the brain people use the most as her project topic.
“Most people I tested were right-brain dominated,” she said. “You got to learn more about your family and friends that you tested.”
Her mom added it was a good experience for her and it sparked her creativity.
“It may be a child that wasn’t the best science student in class but found a passion they like,” Harrell said. “That’s what I like to see, and we’ve seen a lot with the science fair here.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.