Students' hard work pays off

Jasper de San Miguel (left), Luke Henare, Caitlin Gillam, Eden Ruissen Sophie Cohen and teacher Simon Beitchef, with exhibits at Rutherford Gym.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

REGIONAL Science Fair finalists had their work on display in the Rutherford Junior High gymnasium last week, ahead of the winners being announced at a prizegiving ceremony on Wednesday night.

Teachers Simon Beitchef of Rutherford Junior High and Colin Withers of Wanganui Intermediate agree that some of the projects have been quite long and gruelling for students and parents alike.

"Keeping up regular records and some projects taking up a fair bit of space in homes has caused a bit of stress, but at this stage the efforts have paid off, and it has all been worthwhile," Mr Withers said.

Caitlin Gillam's mother helped with her project to find out which music genres make you exercise faster.

"We discovered that the tempo of the music didn't matter so much," Caitlin said.

"We both exercised faster when we were listening to our favourite songs."

Mr Beitchef said there were 160 entries in the regional final and the standard of work is very high.

"The range of topics is really impressive too and they had to stick with it and see the projects through to the end."

Wanganui Intermediate students Katja Mokha and Merle Chant, both 12, attended the prizegiving and wrote a news story about the event, which they have shared with the Chronicle.