Students in Mr. Tim Baumer’s sixth grade science classes put up a strong showing at the E3 Science and Technology Fair late last month at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Held since 1991, the E3 fair is sponsored by engineering societies and private businesses in the Rochester area. Its purpose is to foster interest in engineering and technology in middle school students in the region.
In addition to learning about the engineering process and concepts by working on their projects, participating students also have a chance to interact with professional engineers who attend the fair and learn about career opportunities in the field.
Baumer’s students have been working on their projects since January. Students presented their projects during a March 16 science fair in the middle school. He then took 23 of them to present their projects at the E3 fair at RIT March 25.
“They presented twice to graduate school students from RIT and explained their display boards and showed their models or prototypes,” said Baumer, who’s been bringing his students to the fair for the past decade or so.
Avon students came away with a podium sweep in the sixth grade Science/Engineering Project category. Quinn D. took first place with his hovercraft project, Panagiotis K. took second with his solar-powered car project and Barrett C. placed third with her project about drones’ lift-generating capabilities.
“It was a great experience for all our students,” said Baumer. “They enjoyed presenting to others and learning about engineering careers.”
Sixth graders from left Panagiotis K., Quinn D. and Barrett C. pose for a photo with the trophies they earned at the E3 Science and Technology Fair at Rochester Institute of Technology late last month.