Funhouse Science Fair 2010 Winners: left Iris Parker-Pavitt (3nd prize), Jacqlynn Zier (1st prize) and Sofie Thixton (2nd prize). Not shown is Makala Forster, who shared 3rd prize.

Kahana Pietsch wins “Rocket Ship of Wonder” award

Jacqlynn Zier, Orcas Island High School junior, has won the Funhouse’s First Prize scholarship in their annual Science Fair.

Zier’s project, comparing the taste of organic vs. non-organic foods, was conducted with research and  12 samplings. Her hypothesis was that there would be no taste difference. She accounted for variables such as individual taste preferences and the quality of the food samples, and arrived at the conclusion that there was no taste difference, confirming her hyppothesis.  She noted that, of the organic fruits tested, only the organic oranges tasted better to her subjects.

Jacqlynn wrote in her conclusion that her experiment would have been improved with a larger sampling of 100 people, and that regardless of taste preferences, organic foods are still preferable because they are safer and better for the environment. Jacqlynn was awarded the $1,000 prize, which will be transmitted to the post-high-school institution of Jacqlynn’s choice.

Sofie Thixton won second prize with her research into the affects of different kinds of music on driving. She won a $650 award.

Iris Parker-Pavitt and Makala Forster won $350 and third prize with their research into the effects of exposure on cheese, which they made themselves.

The Richie Moore “Rocket Ship of Wonder” award (best of show award) was given to Kahana Pietsch for his research on insects. Funhouse Executive Director Pete Moe says the judges were “blown away by the knowledge and detail of his display.”

(In 2004, Jacqlynn Zier’s brother Jake won the Rocket Ship of Wonder Award for his entry at the Science Fair.)

John Clancy and Funhouse Board member and science teacher Bret McFarland emceed and coordinated the Awards Ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Mikail Van Maren (left) and Patrick Lancaster prepare a gunpowder experiment outside the Funhouse

The Funhouse was crowded with exhibits, exhibitors and onlookers as students from around San Juan County explained their various projects researching the stickiness of bandaids, the effects of chemical and flame burning, distraction and multi-tasking, the speed of ice cubes melting in various media, among the dozens of projects.

Once again, “Wizards” evaluated the projects and questioned the young scientists. Among the Wizards were Doug Pearson, Annie Moss-Moore, Lana Hickman, Joyce Pearson, Tom Frazer, Kyle Freeman, Barbara Kline, David Russell, Richard Fralick, David Densmore, Marcia West, Tom Rubottom, and Gregory Books.

This year, Funhouse newcomer Krista Bouchey coordinated the exhibits and awards with Director Pete Moe and Kate Hansen.

All entrants received individualized awards for their research, which followed the “scientific method” of

  • statement of problem or question
  • hypothesis
  • data, charts and bibliography
  • materials
  • procedure
  • conclusion

Moe was pleased that there were more high school kids than ever, particularly the girls. He siad next year’s fair will be “a really good shot for a two-time prize…  some of the girls are really gunning for that.

“The boys are going to have to turn it up a notch next year.”

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