Cook Kids Excel at Carver Science Fair

Though James McWilliam and Devin Bannerman are only in eighth grade, both have pretty defined career paths.

"I'm interested in being an aerodynamical engineer," said McWilliam, a student.

"Pretty much the same thing for me," Bannerman said.

The pair were two of the many students from the Roxborough elementary school who participated at the George Washington Carver Science Fair, held at both Temple University and the Academy of Natural Sciences. 

Competing against students from across the city, the students conducted science fair experiments through class and presented their results to peers and panel of judges.

In total, eight Cook-Wissahickon students returned home with prizes. Some, like Wilson Biggs—who is also one of —will move onto the Delaware Valley Regional Science Fair.

Biggs, like McWilliam and Bannerman, competed in the secondary division, which spans seventh through 12th grades. That means they vied for awards with seniors in high school.

McWilliam said it didn't phase him.

"I don't feel any disadvantage. I've been doing this for five years. I feel we're like-minded peers," he said.

He and Bannerman both applied to the Science Leadership Academy and Central High School. Bannerman credits his friend for peeking his interest in science.

"I've been hanging around this guy just about all my whole life. He tells me about everything, and I just got into it," he said.

Younger students did as well as the big kids. Two fourth graders and four fifth graders won. For her efforts in a waterfalls project, fourth grader Katie Erb received the Vince Russo Award for Excellence in Data Presentation.

The below is a list of participants and winners courtesy of seventh and eighth grade science teacher Diane O'Fee Powers.

4th Grade

• Katie Erb (Vince Russo award)
• Ravi Giberson (First place—physical science)
• Matthew Dore

5th Grade

• Paxton Wentzell (Honorable mention—life science)
• Jacob & Elijah Espinosa (Winner—team project)
• Rhane Beaton (Honorable mention—Earth science)
• Elliot Biggs
• Rozime Lindsey
• Nya Weems

6th Grade

• Jake Ashenfeld (Honorable mention—physical science)

7th Grade

• Angelina Birkmire
• Nicholas Clark
• Jake Dore
• Daniel Giaza
• Nyla Moore
• Katerina Sfakianakis
• Amir Sterling
• Ziare Robertson

8th Grade

• Wilson Biggs (Second place—Earth science. Will participate in Delaware Valley Science Fair)
• Evan Allen
• Devin Bannerman
• James McWilliam

For more information on the science fair, click here.