PHOTO GALLERY | Photos courtesy Oscar Cruz
The Learning Castle and La Cañada Preparatory recently held their 23rd annual science fair, where more than 95 entrants, ranging in age from 8 to 13, proudly displayed their experiments covering a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines.
“The science fair is an extensive process that helps students develop critical thinking, problem solving, time management and communication skills,” said TLC science teacher Annette Kiureghian.
Norman Baker, the science teacher for the fifth and sixth grades, said the science fair allows students to be hands-on.
“A science fair gives our students the opportunity to show initiative and choose a project or problem and engage with it,” Baker said.
Judges for this year’s fair were Helia Akmal, Luciana Alves, Christy Anthony, Ani Azarian, Joseph Carey, Diane Costandi, Tina Ghotanian, Jamers Ha, Tina Harutunians, Bo Hu, Sarkis Jarakian, Susanna Jarakian, Jane Jayaraj, Prash Jayaraj, Michael Keller, Sarkis Kiramijyan, Vahe Kuzoyan, Hema Maheshwari, Maria Nelson, Tigran Ovsepyan, Arman Petrosyan, Marianna Petrosyan, Mark Schroeder, Teo Soleymani, Vicken Touzjian and Joseph Yacoub.
“We are so fortunate to have so many generous and gifted parents from the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, engineering and science to serve as judges,” said Terry Villanueva, director of The Learning Castle and La Cañada Preparatory.
Earlier this month, an awards assembly was held to recognize the top-three projects in each grade along with honorable mentions and awards for merit.
Steve Miller, the science teacher for seventh and eighth grades, spoke at the ceremony and praised students.
“Our science fair is really about the wholesome celebration of life and knowledge, and I think it’s safe to say that our young scientists found these experiences inspirational,” Miller said.
First-place winnners were third graders Abigail Costandi and Emmanuel Kiureghian, fifth grader Nicholas Mahdessian and seventh graders Ella Ohanyan and Hayk Petrosyan. Second-place winners were third graders Delsa Akmal and Maneh Ovsepyan, fifth grader Nicole Salehpour and seventh graders Evan Jayraj and Alexandra Oganesyan. Third-place winners were third graders Duaa Quereshi and William Schroeder, fifth graders Kira Agadzhanian and Rebecca Whalin and seventh graders Katya Hadjistyllis and Benjamin Kuzoyan.
Honorable mentions were awarded to third graders Victoria Avagyan, Ava Camilleri, Luca Khachadurian, Michael Khrlobyan and Charlotte Whalin; fifth graders Rita Jarakian, Natasha Karapetian, Veronica Malkasyan, Nicole Manukyan and Dane Miller; and seventh graders Christian Karroum, Anthony Leavens, Eva Margaryan and Zoya Quereshi.
Additionally, for the projects not recognized by the judges but deemed worthy of recognition by the Science Department earned an award for merit. These awardees included third graders Arina Avagyan, Jacob Filian, Vincent Mahdessian, Jack Mekhjian and Carolynna Yepremyan; fifth graders Mila Aynaszyan, Talin Karakachian, Giovanni Tngryan, Vivienne Mirzaians and Danika Vartanian; and seventh graders Christian Lund, Jasmen Madadyan, Allen Torosyan, Arina Vahramyan and Julia Yen.
The Learning Castle and La Cañada Preparatory are private schools for 4-year-olds through eighth graders located at 4490 Cornishon Ave. in La Cañada Flintridge.
First published in the February 29 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
By Scott Albright
