Ten projects and twenty students competed in the 27th South Central South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair on March 19 at Dakota Wesleyan University Campus in Mitchell.

Taking 1st Place in Life and Behavior Science senior division was Bradley Dangel for his project, Does Different Manure Matter?

Taking 1st Place in Group Projects senior division was Gabby Abdo-Smith and Jocelyn Abdo for their project, The Effect of Soil Temperature on Plant Growth. Along with winning 1st place, these students received a $4,000 Scholarship to Dakota Wesleyan University.

Evaluating the Planting of Tree Species in Shelter Belts by Jacob Maynard and Death Ray: What Duration of Ultraviolet Exposure Kills Bacteria? by Annamarie Medicine Horn were awarded a Certificate of Merit in Life and Behavior Science senior division.

Jacob Maynard was also awarded the NASA Earth Systems Science Award and Chemistry, Health and Other Science (CHAOS) of DWU Award.

Chaz James was awarded the DWU Nursing Department award, National Association of Biology Teachers Award, and Sanford Promise Award for Biomedical Research for his project, Addicted to Caffeine?

Annamarie Medicine Horn was also awarded the National Association of Biology Teachers Award as well as the Society for In Vitro Biology Award.

Kali Maynard (Crushin' it) and Baylee Johnson, Lucy Winckler, and Keeva Weddell (Water Filtration) were awarded United States Army Recruiting Center Awards.

A special thank you to the Lake Andes Community Garden for the use of the moisture tester and gardening advice and the staff and students at Andes Central for their dedication and support of the science fair.