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ENLARGEAlex Nickell, a seventh-grader at St. John the Evangelist in Loveland, demonstrates his project on wind power at the 37th annual Longs Peak Regional Science Fair at the University of Northern Colorado. Alex was a winner at the competition, held on Thursday, and will be competing at the 52nd annual Colorado Science and Engineering Fair, April 5-7, at Colorado State University.
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Noah Jordan, a sixth-grade student at Windsor Charter Academy, demonstrates his project at the 37th annual Longs Peak Regional Science Fair at the University of Northern Colorado. Noah’s project was to test the strength of super glue bonds between various materials using hanging weights. Winners at the fair, held on Thursday, will represent their schools at the 52nd annual Colorado Science and Engineering Fair April 5-7 at Colorado State University.
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As engineers around the world struggle to find alternative energy sources, Alex Nickell, 12, of Loveland hopes his science project will contribute to the search.
For now, it earned him first place in the Junior Division at the 37th Annual Longs Peak Regional Science Fair on Thursday.
The project, entitled "The Shroud of Turbine," attempts to increase the power output of turbines. According to his research, Alex determined that encasing a turbine in a shroud can "increase wind speed to the turbine blades," and generate higher output.
Using a mixing bowl, a circular fan, and a turbine he made from wood, Alex tested his idea and recorded the data. He believes the results are promising.
"On this small scale, wind speed increased by a lot," he said. "On a large scale, the increase would be even greater."
Eighty students from Weld and Larimer counties competed in the science fair, which was held at the University of Northern Colorado in the University Center. The entry categories included biochemistry, computer science, physics, mathematics, and engineering. There were two divisions of competition, the Junior division for grades 6-8, and the Senior division for grades 9-12.
Like Alex, many of the students took an environmental approach and explored issues such as water quality and global warming. Other students developed products or tried to improve on existing ones. Some students just had a question they wanted answered.
Noah Jordan, 11, of Windsor, constructed his project to see if super glue adhered better to wood, metal, rubber, or plastic. The idea for the project came to him easily.
"I like playing with super glue," he said.
Noah originally thought the answer would be rubber, but his research found that super glue adhered better to metal. He admits the project required a lot of work and preparation, but it was worth it. Noah will be competing in the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair in April.
The first and second place winners in each division at the regional fair automatically go to the state fair, but the regional judges are able to send other outstanding projects from their contest.
The decisions are not easy. UNC physics professor Courtney Willis, who has been involved in judging the fair for more than 10 years, said the quality of projects this year was consistent with years past. He felt there was a standout group, however.
"I really think the junior projects were stronger this year," he said.
But there are first and second place winners in both divisions, along with 16 other students who will continue on to the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair. The winners there will go to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Albuquerque in May.
Alex, who went to the state fair last year, said his motivation on this project was more than winning.
"I really want to affect the community of northern Colorado," he said.
In his hometown of Loveland, wind speed is rather low, so he thinks his project is relevant, especially for farmers. His dream is to become an electrical engineer and continue to search for alternative sources of energy that can be used in Colorado.
But for now, he just wants to make it to the International Fair, and make it through 7th grade.
Senior Division Winners
First Place
Aubrey Hasvold, Blevins Junior High School
Second Place
Carson Wray, Blevins Junior High School
State Fair Participant
Joel Schultz, Blevins Junior High School
Junior Division Winners
First Place
Alex Nickell, St. John the Evangelist
Second Place
Lauren Adlhoch, St. John the Evangelist
State Fair Participants
Amber Vesely, Boltz Junior High School
Kyle Wederquist, Windsor Charter Academy
Majed Aldhamari, Blevins Junior High School
Taylor Anders, Windsor Charter Academy
Justin Lewton, Weld Central Junior High School
Hannah Ekblad, Blevins Junior High School
Brian Heckman, Kinard Junior High School
Ian Koss, Kinard Junior High School
Andrew Constant, Saint Joseph Catholic School
Rachel Washam, St. John the Evangelist
Kyle Lanning, Turner Middle School
Nathan Hoffman, Weld Central Junior High School
Noah Jordan, Windsor Charter Academy
Stephan Troup, Independent Student
Anthony Azari, Brentwood Middle School
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