Newton County Schools (NCS) is pleased to announce the winners of the NCS Elementary District Science and Engineering Fair. According to Ms. Christina Phyall, NCS Elementary Instructional Specialist, the district’s first-place winners will represent Newton County Schools at the K–5 State Science and Engineering Fair at Georgia College & State University in March.
“Each of these projects reflects the curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity we strive to nurture in our elementary classrooms,” said Phyall. “Our students asked thoughtful questions, designed meaningful investigations, and demonstrated a strong understanding of the scientific process. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and excited to see our first-place winners represent Newton County Schools at the state level.”
In addition to the district winners, Newton County Schools is proud to recognize two outstanding students from Newton County STEAM Academy for exceptional achievements at this year’s fair. Kane Whitaker earned Best in Category in the Kindergarten–Second Grade division, while Kennedy Carlock received the highest overall score of the competition, along with the highest category score. Their accomplishments exemplify excellence in scientific inquiry and innovation at the elementary level.
The following is a list of all Newton County Schools’ elementary Science and Engineering Fair winners, along with their project titles.
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Division
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Division
| 1st Place Winners |
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
GRADE |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| Kennadie Hicks ** |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
2 |
|
Medical Science |
|
Sing a Song: Feel the Beat |
| Makayla O'Neill ** |
|
East Newton Elementary |
|
2 |
|
Life Science |
|
Will Food or Treats Encourage Chickens to Learn at a Faster Rate? |
| Kane Whitaker * |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
2 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Magnet vs. Plastic: The Ultimate Cleanup Showdown |
* Indicates Best in Category
** Highest Category Score
Kindergarten-2nd Grade Division
| 2nd Place Winners |
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
GRADE |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| Thomas Case Airington |
|
Mansfield Elementary |
|
1 |
|
Earth Science |
|
Mini Storms and Mighty Moves |
| Autumn Brown |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Kindergarten |
|
Physical Science |
|
Captain Autumn and the Great Airplane Race |
| Mallory Finnell |
|
Heard-Mixon Elemementary |
|
2 |
|
Life Science |
|
Which Type of Cat Toy Should You Buy for Your Cat? |
| Gracelynn Shelton |
|
Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
2 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Mentos vs. Soda |
| Alaia Sims |
|
Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
1 |
|
Life Science |
|
Alaia's Magic |
3rd Place Winners
| 3RD PLACE WINNERS |
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
GRADE |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| Lively Alexander |
|
Mansfield Elementary |
|
Kindergarten |
|
Physical Science |
|
Grow Rainbow Crystals! |
| Cayden Green |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Kindergarten |
|
Physical Science |
|
Which Brand of Popcorn Pops the Best? |
| Preston Parker |
|
Middle Ridge |
|
1 |
|
Engineering |
|
Maglev Trains |
3rd - 5th Grade Division
1st Place Winners
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
GRADE |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| Kennedy Carlock * |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
3 |
|
Medical Science |
|
Sprays, Scents, and Sanitizer: Testing Everyday Germs on E. Coli |
| Ryan Crawford |
|
Livingston Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Weather on Model Train |
| Leila Ellis |
|
Fairview Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Slime Time |
| Jaxon Gilbert |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
When Life Gives You Lemons...Make Electricity |
| Johnnie Harper and Juliana Harper |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
3/5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
The Floating Egg: Testing Buoyancy and Density |
| Chandler Hendrson |
|
Livingston Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Can different sizes of potatoes create different amounts of electricity? |
| Tenley Johnston |
|
Mansfield Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Soggy Science |
| Payton Littlebear ** |
|
South Salem Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Engineering |
|
Anemometer |
| Jarred Cordova Martinez |
|
Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
How Does the Length of a Lego Bridge Affect How Much Weight it Can Hold? |
| Makhi Oates ** |
|
Oak Hill Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Life Science |
|
The Battle of the Plants: Indoor vs. Outdoor |
| Ashton Phyall |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Energy Challenge |
| Felicity Phyall |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
The Reverb Reversal |
| Raylan Pittman |
|
Fairview Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Life Science |
|
Operation Plants |
| Antonio Ramos |
|
Livingston Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Which Fruit Browns the Fastest After Being Cut? |
| Mya Taylor ** |
|
Livingston Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Medical Science |
|
Giving "Bact" to the Community |
| Eliana Zintzun |
|
South Salem Elementary |
|
4 |
|
Medical Science |
|
Rethink Your Drink |
* Highest Overall Score and Highest Category Score
** Highest Category Score
2nd Place Winners
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
GRADE |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| William Rhett Airington |
|
Mansfield Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Earth Science |
|
Does Warm Weather Make Storms Stronger? |
| Joseph Beaty |
|
Oak Hill Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Fizzy Rockets and How High They Go |
| justice Bells and Zaniya Cooper |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Life Science |
|
Plants: Seed Germination |
| Myles Duston |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Which Brand of Light Bulb Shines the Brightest? |
| Alma Garcia |
|
Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Electricity |
| Karson Jackson |
|
Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Worms vs. Bears Growing |
| Bowen Lackey |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Grow a Gummy |
| Aaliyah Siede |
|
Heard-Mixon Elementary |
|
4 |
|
Life Science |
|
Do Plants Grow Better in Clay, Top Soil, or Sand? |
3rd Place Winners
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
GRADE |
|
CATEGORY |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
| Lizzie Argo, Saidy Francisco, and Annali Hernandez |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Oobleck |
| Avery Clendenin |
|
Fairview Elementary |
|
4 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Do Magnets Work Under Water? |
| Jaleah Robinson and Zailey McGuire |
|
Flint Hill Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Life Science |
|
Which Fast Food Would Grow the Tallest Plants? |
| Aaliyysia Penny |
|
Rocky Plains Elementary |
|
3 |
|
Physical Science |
|
Is it Slime? |
| Kindle Smith |
|
Livingston Elementary |
|
4 |
|
Life Science |
|
Battle of Bushes: Which Cleaner Wins |
| Alana Stalling |
|
Heard-Mixon Elementary |
|
5 |
|
Physical Science |
|
What Material is Best to Control a Basketball? |
“The level of innovation and problem-solving displayed by our elementary students is truly impressive,” said Dr. Ashante Everett, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. “These projects highlight not only strong academic skills, but also perseverance, creativity, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Opportunities like the district science fair help build a strong foundation for future success and reinforce our commitment to engaging students in meaningful, hands-on learning.”