The pouring rain was not the only thing that made a huge splash on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The downpour of rain was joined by the creativity, future scientists, engineers and innovators of Montgomery during the third annual Montgomery Public School District Science Fair held on the concourse of Alabama State University’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome on Nov. 19.
This annual event for Montgomery Public Schools’ K-5 students, with a special focus on grades 3-5 for the district competition, included participants from 28 public schools, each holding their own science fair before sending their top winners to compete at the district level.
From water condensation to tornado-induced droughts, the fair was filled with everything one could imagine. The air was buzzing with excitement as students passionately explained the mechanics of mechanical energy, thermal dynamics, and other fascinating scientific principles. These young minds did not “just talk the talk, they walked the walk,” proudly presenting their hard work on poster boards and tri-fold boards.
“It’s all about preparing these students for the future,” said Shaniece Williams, Ed.D., executive director of Curriculum & Instruction for Montgomery Public Schools, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the fair and establishing the partnership with Alabama State University. “Our goal is to inspire future engineers and scientists, especially those pursuing careers in math and science fields. We want Montgomery’s schools to be a pipeline for these kinds of careers.”
So, what does it take to be a winner? Well, apart from sheer creativity, dedication, and probably a bit of late-night science experimentation, the top competitors who worked for 6 to 8 weeks on their projects walked away with a trophy and bragging rights for the next year. Williams shared that some of the previous winners have returned to compete again.
District, state, and university officials were in attendance to judge the projects, ensuring that the best and brightest got the recognition they deserved.
The fair was made possible by the hard work of several key figures, including Crystal Moss, the university’s Operations and Events manager, who was instrumental in coordinating and supporting the event. Moss worked closely with Williams and other campus departments to organize the event, including collaborating with Technology in Motion, another campus initiative, helped the fair run smoothly. While Moss was absent at the event, her behind-the-scenes contributions helped ensure everything came together seamlessly.
“I’m an alumna,” Williams said with a smile. “As a three-time graduate of ASU, I want to give back and strengthen the bond between the university and Montgomery Public Schools. It’s all about community and making sure our students know they have support all the way through their educational journey.”
She continued by advising today’s students who are enrolled at the university.
“It all starts with a thought,” she said. “ A little seed planted and from there, motivation gets the job done. But it’s not just about knowing what you want to do, it’s about knowing who you are, and how you plan to make an impact.”
Though the day ended with almost 100 science projects from Montgomery’s brightest young minds being judged, the winners were not announced in person but instead were live-streamed later. The live-streamed event ensured that the top competitors, their teachers, and families could still celebrate the accomplishments of these young scientists in real time. Trophies are set to be awarded after Thanksgiving.
As the future of STEM education continues to grow in Montgomery, Williams’ words echo as a reminder that today’s projects are tomorrow’s innovations.
