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Future Scientists Sprout

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By KEITH MORELLI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2008

TAMPA - Sascha Kline stood in front of her science project and unleashed a big fat yawn. Behind her, the Yeast Beast screamed for attention.

The 9-year-old third-grader at Claywell Elementary School is one of more than 1,000 potential scientists from more than 100 public and private schools at the Hillsborough Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Exhibits lined the second floor concourse around the cavernous USF Sun Dome on Wednesday. Screeners and judges shuffled up and down the rows of cardboard stands along with students of all ages and teachers.

Dressed in a scholarly looking red sweater, Sascha explained her objective to determine, in layman's terms, whether a rotting banana gets hotter or colder.

Or, in her junior scientist words: "Um, it's about if yeast grows on a banana, will it affect the mass temperature of the banana."

Things, however, got in the way of a proper conclusion.

Problems, the kind that turn scientists' hair gray, cropped up with the black and stinky banana. Room temperature and the plastic bag containing the slimy fruit could have affected the outcome.

"My findings were inconclusive," she said. Plus, "My mom said, 'As soon as you're done with that, throw it out.'"

A few rows away, Deepthi Naidu, 11, put the finishing touches on a more complex project, dealing with semiconductors, resistance and temperature. Her father, Ratakonda Naidu, an engineer, offered his assistance.

Deepthi, a student at Williams Middle Magnet School, pointed to her dad when asked where the idea originated. But she did the work starting on it, she said, a month ago.

Debbie Opp paid close attention to all the exhibits. A teacher of gifted children at Temple Terrace Elementary School, Opp is a screener. Her job was to ensure all the exhibits met all requirements, including basic safety, before they were judged.

"I'm looking for things not on the board, things that are loose, that fell off or are sharp," she said. She also makes sure there are no names of students, teachers or schools visible.

"And I make sure there's a log," she said. "There has to be a log."

Bobqueilla Felton, an 11-year-old student at Just Elementary School in Tampa, was eager to talk about her project, an ambitious effort to delve into an issue first brought up by her science teacher.

Which freezes faster: saltwater or fresh water?

Bobqueilla launched into a dissertation on how the project was set up: Samples of water from the Gulf of Mexico and the Hillsborough River were collected and put in a freezer; then came meticulous observation.

"The fresh water freezes first," she said. "But the saltwater reached the freezing temperature first."

Students in all grades set up their projects on Wednesday and judges were expected to make their decisions by 8 p.m.

The fair opens to the public at 8 a.m. today and remains open until 6 p.m. Awards will be handed out afterward.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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