GISD Boasts 13 Winners, Grand Prize at Regional Science Fair
Article Date: March 12, 2008
Thirteen Garland ISD elementary students were recently recognized among the Metroplex’s top learners at the 2008 Regional Elementary Science Fair.
GISD scientific gurus claimed three first-place ribbons, five second-place ribbons, one third-place finish and four honorable mentions. Christopher Lawley, a fourth grader at Watson ES, also earned Grand Prize honors after judges selected his first-place work as the best overall project in grades 4-5.
Students in grades 1-3 competed against one another, as did students in grades 4-5. Sixth grade was a lone classification. Grand prizes were awarded in the same categories.
Hosted at GISD’s Special Events Center, this year’s event spotlighted student 525 registered projects from students in the Allen, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Garland, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano and Richardson school districts. Participants in the fair were Grand Prize winners from each elementary school in the seven districts.
According to Georgia Beatey, elementary science coordinator for GISD, this is the 15th year suburban districts have organized the regional fair, which originally came about because of size restrictions.
“Elementary levels used to participate in the science fair hosted by the Dallas Morning News each year at Fair Park,” she said. “That became such a large event that grades 1-6 could no longer be accommodated. Several elementary coordinators got together at that time and formed the Regional Elementary Science Fair.”
Garland ISD winners are listed below, along with their placement, grade and school.
| Name | Place | Grade | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Brown | First | Fifth | Herfurth ES |
| Michael Cowan | First | Second | Cooper ES |
| Kristen Fitzgerald | Second | Fourth | Armstrong ES |
Victor Garcia-Knab |
Honorable Mention | Fifth | Dorsey ES |
| Christopher Lawley | First (Grand Prize) | Fourth | Watson ES |
| Courtney Macon | Honorable Mention | Sixth | Sellers MS |
| Drew McFaul | Third | Third | Luna ES |
| Rachel Ogle | Honorable Mention | Third | Shugart ES |
| Michael Owens | Second | Fourth | Abbett ES |
| Kade Perry | Honorable Mention | Third | Hickman ES |
| Gus Purczinsky | Second | Third | Walnut Glen ES |
| Catherine Tennison | Second | Fourth | Hillside ES |
| Kara Wheatley | Second | Sixth | Hudson MS |