St. Patrick’s students share their scientific discoveries

January 29, 2014 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Chloe Fequiere, a seventh-grader, studied blood pressure levels in arteries and veins and worked hard to create a three-dimensional heart for her poster board, which she proudly displayed at her school’s science fair.

Chloe was one of dozens of students who created ambitious projects for the science fair at Saint Patrick Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge on Tuesday.

The fair, part of the school’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week, brought out the inner Albert Einstein in the students, who submitted projects that tested everything from the effects of sugary drinks on the body to which cereal has the most iron. The young science students showcased their projects with colorful poster boards and materials so that visitors could learn about their research and how they came to their scientific conclusions.

The creativity of the projects created quite a buzz in the building.

Fourth grader John D’Angelo stood next to a replica skyscraper he designed to withstand the effects of an earthquake. “My dad’s an architect. I learned from him,” he said with a smile.

Nearly all of the school’s students in grades three through eight made projects but only the most elaborate were chosen to be presented at the science fair, which took place in the auditorium inside school at 401 97th St.

Sixth grader Molly O’Connor created the Shoe Buffer 3000, a handmade contraption that actually gave scuffed shoes some shine using a hand crank. At the fair, she polished her classmates’ shoes for a quarter, raising money for the academy.

Classmate Helen El-Achkar also studied blood pressure, basing her project on the effects of temperature on blood pressure.

Helen’s younger brother Michael, a third grader, also showcased his project. Titled “Floating Water,” it studied the effects of air pressure on water using a full glass with a piece of cardboard over the lid. When flipped quickly, the air pressure in the glass kept the cardboard from falling and the water from spilling.

The science fair was part of a week full of events that also included an Art Fair on Monday, during which visiting parents were able to view artwork created by children of every grade level. The works portrayed historical topics like the Boston Tea Party and pyramids, as well as portraits and nature scenes.