Hillel Academy students take home 19 awards at regional science fair

“Hillel Academy has always maintained that we have one of the top middle school science programs in the area,” says Amy Wasser, head of the Tampa private school. “Our students just proved it.”

Even at a school that prides itself on academics and has grown accustomed to winning awards, this accomplishment is a big one.

When word of the awards haul came in during a Board of Trustees meeting, Wasser says she could not stop texting–even though the unwritten rule is to keep cell phone use to a minimum.

“Texts kept coming in: ‘We just got a superior in elementary,’ ‘Wow, middle school awards just began and we are cleaning house,’” remembers Wasser of that night last week. “Not only did I check my phone, I kept interrupting the meeting with updates about Hillel’s amazing success at the Hillsborough County Regional Science Fair Awards.”

This year’s fair included more than 2,300 elementary, middle, and high school students from public, private, and charter schools.

No other middle school picked up as many awards. And that’s even a bigger deal because Hillel is smaller than the others.

In the elementary competition, one of the Hillel 4th graders earned a Superior Award for his entry.

Hillel Academy’s science teacher Sara Wilson sees the lower school entries as a hands-on way to learn about the scientific method, preparing and carrying out an experiment and learning how to present in front of judges.

Merit Awards went to five other students in grades 3-5.

The Hillsborough County STEM Fair is the largest academic competition in Hillsborough County, and the largest science competition in the state of Florida.

Hillel sent 12 projects from 13 students to the middle school competition and received 18 awards.

And there might be more good news soon.

Out of the 15 middle school students selected to represent Hillsborough County at the Florida State STEM Fair in March, three are from Hillel.

“Hillel Academy received more total awards and is sending more students to the state fair than any other public, private, or charter middle school in all of Hillsborough County,” says Amy Bahsam, middle school science teacher and the director of Hillel’s science fair. “The dedication and hard work of the students paid off.”

Awards

• Marlin Jacobson (8th grade)
o Selected for Florida State Science Fair team
o 2nd Place Overall in Microbiology Category
o Robert Matthews Memorial Award
• Rose Goldwitz (8th grade)
o 1st Place Environmental Project (Florida Society of Environmental Analysts)
o Best Water-Related Project (Stockholm Water Prize)
o 2nd Place Overall in the Botany Category
• Carly Rodriguez (8th grade)
o 3rd Place in Behavioral Sciences (Florida Psychological Association)
o Merit Award in Behavioral Sciences
• Josh McMurray (7th grade)
o Selected for Florida State Science Fair team
o 1st Place Overall in Botany Category
• Arielle Astra (7th grade)
o 4th Place in Behavioral Sciences (Florida Psychological Association)
o Merit Award in Behavioral Sciences
• Marielle Smith (7th grade)
o 2nd Place in Behavioral Sciences (Florida Psychological Association)
o Merit Award in Behavioral Sciences
• Rachel Segal (7th grade)
o Florida Aquarium Award
o 3rd Place Overall in Zoology
• Jonah Gordon & Harrison Greenfield (7th grade)
o 3rd Place Overall in Behavioral Sciences
• Batia Friedman-Shaw (7th grade)
o Honorable Mention Overall in Botany
• Max Weiner (6th grade)
o Selected for Florida State Science Fair team
o 1st Place Overall in Behavioral Sciences
o 4th Place in Behavioral Sciences (Florida Psychological Association)
• Adam Wertheim (6th grade)
o Helen Johnson Memorial Award
o Honorable Mention Overall in Earth & Planetary Science
• Sara Gofter (6th grade)
o Honorable Mention Overall in Zoology

For more information, please contact Amy Wasser, Hillel Academy of Tampa, (813) 963-2242. Please visit www.hillelacademytampa.com.

SOURCE:  Hillel Academy of Tampa Bay

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