Wheeling High School hosts more than 500 students at regional science fair
There are many ways to describe Wheeling High School’s recent hosting of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science Region 6 Science Fair, but let’s start with this: overwhelmingly successful.
Hard work, detailed preparation and a pervasive volunteer spirit powered the event, which drew more than 1,000 attendees. More than 500 students from 35 schools across the region presented their projects to 275 volunteer judges.
If some of the fair’s projects seem a bit esoteric — “Extending Food Stability Through Bioactive Compounds in Cumin and Caraway” or “Mechanical Properties of Algae-Enhanced Bioplastic Composites” — they also represent high-level learning and real-world research.
“This learning opportunity is unique and closely mimics upper college or even graduate level work,” said Kim Milligan, Wheeling High School science teacher who, with colleague Dr. Greg Wallace, organized the fair.
Students may choose any area of research. Many pursued a personal interest; one dedicated WHS athlete, for instance, focused on traction in running shoes. Topic selection is only the start. From there, students must narrow their area of study while learning to review existing research literature and identify research gaps they might address.
The work, Milligan explains, is intimidating and messy. For research novices, comprehending research literature can be as daunting as reading an unfamiliar language. “This is very hard for high school students. It’s very abstract,” Milligan said. “But students come up with a problem: ‘What am I trying to solve?’ And then figure out a way to solve it.”
Milligan serves as a resource to help students understand complex research reports. “I help them understand the material, the science. They ask questions. I encourage them to manage the process,” she said.
As valuable as Milligan is as a resource — the Hersey graduate earned a biochemistry degree before embracing a career in education — she, Wallace and their colleagues do not work alone. Northwest Suburban High School District 214 has arranged a mentor match with high-level scientists. Milligan sits in with students on initial video calls with mentors. While students typically are nervous initially, their interaction with professionals builds confidence. Student researchers become increasingly assertive in returning to mentors with informed follow-up questions as they better understand the process.
Mirroring real-world research conditions means trying and trying again, as well as following a budget and investing many hours. Toward that end, Milligan is available in the lab — offering students an array of snacks as well as guidance — for many hours after school and all day for several Saturdays in the weeks leading up to the fair.
The fair not only provided an opportunity for WHS students to shine but also focused regional attention on the school’s cutting-edge nanotechnology program, with its scanning electron and atomic force microscopes. Nanotechnology involves the science of examining particles on a very small level and determining how altering a particle’s size impacts both its structure and function. Practical applications are many, including cancer research.
Students examining nanoparticles under the scanning electron microscope are literally seeing a whole new world. “I’ve had students tear up or say ‘Wow, look what I’ve found!’” Milligan said.
The lessons extend beyond science. “We work on character things, learning to take feedback, having a back-and-forth, being able to hear ‘Did you consider this?’ They have to learn that this is the real world. We want them to learn to be curious, learn that they’re capable.”
Learning, as well, Milligan said, to be appreciative. “We are working on being grateful,” she said. “Some of our students have lucrative and promising careers ahead. We want them to be humble and grateful and not to be arrogant in their knowledge; we worked on thank you notes to all mentors. It’s good to see them learn to be curious and grateful for these opportunities.”
It’s an approach that Milligan models. She and Wallace credit the fair’s success to the contributions of scores of individuals: event coordinators, judges, facilities and tech team, office and logistics support, alumni and community volunteers, student volunteers and boosters. And, of course, a school district willing to invest in its students’ learning and future success.
“The district put a lot of money into this lab and pays for mentor matching,” Milligan said. “We don’t take it for granted. We are just very grateful that we have this opportunity.”