The Western Minnesota Regional Science Fair took place on the campus of the University of Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Area students were recognized for their achievements in areas related to science, engineering, and more. 

Overall winners included the following:

Senior Audrey Swanson, daughter of Elizabeth and Craig Swanson, and Junior Sierra Edvall, daughter of Dawn and Dave Edvall, took home first place honors with their team project: “UT-Why? Effects of Household Beverages on UTI Causing Bacteria.” Both Edvall and Swanson attend Perham High School in Perham, Minn. The team will participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held Pittsburgh, Penn., in May.

Placing in second place was Park Christian School Sophomore Lauren Knoll, daughter of Lori and Ron Knoll, with her project: “There is No Planet B: Aquaponics, Farming of the Future.” Park Christian School is located in Moorhead, Minn.

Third place winner was Chanzhu Guan, daughter of Hsrdem Chen and Guogjang Guan, a sophomore from Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks, Minn., with her project: “How Sound Wave Changed by the Temperature of Water.”

Placing fourth was Sophomore Olivia McNair, daughter of Robert and Hayley Dennison-McNair, from Perham High School, with her project: “The Prevalence of Cognitive Dissonance in Perceiving Fake News.”

For more information on the awards and a photo gallery, visit the website for the Western Minnesota Regional Science Fair at www.umcrookston.edu/sciencefair. The Western Minnesota Regional Science Fair is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Crookston, Simplot, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, and more.

The University of Minnesota Crookston now delivers 34 bachelor's degree programs, 22 minors, and 40 areas of emphasis on campus as well as 14 degree programs entirely online.  These degrees are offered in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from more than 20 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo, left to right, are Sierra Edvall, Audrey Swanson, Lauren Knoll, Chenzhu Guan, and Olivia McNair