The Flathead County Science Fair has brought together young scientists for more than 16 years.

This year, there were entries from 111 students representing 15 schools and home schools.

Students worked hard to write research papers, test experiments and create display boards to enter the fair Feb. 23 at Deer Park School and March 2 at West Valley School.

Teams of guest judges from the community and Glacier High School Advanced Placement students scored exhibits and evaluated students’ interview skills and grasp of the scientific method.

Marycaye Dover, Flathead County Science Fair Board chairwoman, said the science fair is a place for students to excel and explore science, technology, engineering and math.

“Science is a living and active process all around us,” Dover said.

Dover said students, in conducting experiments and research, use critical thinking skills in a hands-on way.

“They begin to think like a scientist and understand the process of variables and analyzing empirical data,” Dover said.

Dover said one of the innovative displays was a project by West Valley sixth-grader Hunter Nicholson, who received The Glacier Institute award for best environmental science experiment.

His experiment, “Burn Baby Burn,” involved testing biofuels and fossil fuels. He tested to see if biofuels could be an adequate replacement for fossil fuels to minimize pollution.

“Science is problem-solving and innovation at its peak,” Dover said.

The state science fair will be held at the University of Montana March 20 through 22.  

Following are results from the science fair.

Third grade

Demonstration

Grand champion: Emmet Aschin, Bigfork

Reserve champion: Dillion Young, Glacier Gateway

Biological

Grand: Abby Weber, Jauplin Young, Lakia Hill, Emerald Templin, Deer Park

Fourth grade

Demonstration

Grand: Joe Lamb, Glacier Gateway

Reserve: Flora Jam, Glacier Gateway

Biological

Grand: Maddie Mueller, Bigfork

Reserve: Tyler Langton, Glacier Gateway

Physical group one

Grand: Carly Stodghill, Bigfork

Reserve: Eric Bott, Deer Park

Physical group two

Grand: Harry Oberling, West Valley

Reserve: Carson Voeller, Whitefish Christian

Physical group three

Grand: Sarabeth Roggers, Lakeside

Reserve: Allison Miller, Whitefish Christian

Fifth grade

Demonstration

Grand: Mac Jarvis, Glacier Gateway

Kyla Johnston, Glacier Gateway

Physical group one

Grand: Cole Hider, Bigfork

Reserve: Ian McKenzie, Glacier Gateway

Physical group two

Grand: Auguste Emond, Deer Park

Grand: Dylan Leese, West Valley

Reserve: Ramey Metegaer, Stillwater Christian

Physical group three

Grand: Kaden Matthews, Deer Park

Reserve: Dalton Fisher, Whitefish Christian

Biological group one

Grand: Kelly Ryan, Whitefish Christian

Grand: Cassidy Norick, Deer Park

Biological group two

Grand: Courtnee Amello, Glacier Gateway

Reserve: Bethany Lyford, West Valley

Sixth grade

Physical group one

Grand: Henery Bjorge, Bigfork

Reserve: Brandon Jordan, West Valley

Physical group two

Grand: Trey Mitchell, West Valley

Grand: Kasey Sands, West Valley

Reserve and The Glacier Institute award for best environmental science experiment — Hunter Nicholson, West Valley

Physical group three

Grand: Lane Wilson, West Valley

Reserve: Tanner Brown, West Valley

Biological group one

Grand: Collin Kazmier, West Valley

Reserve: Caley Halloran, Somers Middle

Biological group two

Grand: Christo Oberling, West Valley

Reserve: Cadie Williams, West Valley

Seventh grade

Physical group one

Grand: Colin Norick, Deer Park

Reserve: Alec Willis, West Valley

Physical group two

Grand: Caleb LeClercq, Fair-Mont-Egan

Reserve: Alek Jochim, St. Matthew’s

Biological group one

Grand: Josh Anderson, Deer Park

Reserve: Kendall Warner, West Valley

Biological group two

Grand: Savanna Cheff, St. Matthew’s

Reserve: Abi Fiske, West Valley

Eighth Grade

Physical group one

Grand: Daniel Fetveit, Stillwater Christian

Reserve: Alex Drew, St. Matthew’s

Physical group two

Grand: Luke Barron, home school

Reserve: Dane La Vigne, Stillwater Christian

Reserve: Bo Mackay, Stillwater Christian

Biological group one

Grand: Madison Rouse, Whitefish Christian

Reserve: Sheyan Collom, Stillwater Christian

Biological group two

Grand: William Thompson, Somers

Reserve: Robert McCarvel, St. Matthew’s

Ninth grade

Physical

Grand: Colter Norick, Columbia Falls