By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, Florida Virtual School

Each year, students are invited to participate in the annual FLVS Science Fair, an academic competition that promotes scientific inquiry through hands-on, real-world investigation. This annual event is open to all FLVS students (Flex, Full Time, and FlexPoint).

The fair challenges students to apply the scientific method, think critically, analyze data, and communicate their findings, skills that extend far beyond the classroom, according to the science fair organizer, FLVS teacher Dr. Joshua Strate. He is also the sponsor of the FLVS Science National Honor Society (SNHS), which hosts the annual fair with the FLVS Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).

This year, student projects explored a wide range of scientific fields, from chemistry reactions and food science to plant biology, environmental engineering, astronomy, physics, and emerging technologies. Students investigated questions about how materials behave, how living things grow and adapt, how energy is produced and transferred, and even what conditions might support life beyond Earth. Examples included studies on popcorn‑popping temperatures, water filtration methods, hydroponic plant growth, solar‑panel energy, gravitational effects, biodegradable plastics, candy‑cane chemistry, and the suitability of Europa or Mars for human life.

Congratulations to our winners

Elementary school

1st place:

• Annabella Ninivaggi, fifth grade, Ormond Beach  — “The Impact of Pot Size on Plant Growth” (pictured in the photo above)

2nd place (tie):

• Brody Thompson, fifth grade, Orlando — “Plant Growth”
• Sir West, fifth grade, Daytona Beach — “The Effects of Water on Plant Growth”

3rd place:

• Cadence Fleeman, third grade, Palm Harbor — “Does the Temperature of Popcorn Kernels Affect the Number of Kernels that Pop?”

Honorable mention:

• Briar Coen, fifth grade, Tampa — “Do Different Nutrients in the Soil Affect How Much Chlorophyll a Plant Makes?”
• Lucas Dickens, fourth grade, Spring Hill — “Which Materials Clean Dirty Water Best?”

Middle school

1st place:

• Kira Sewlal, seventh grade, Satellite Beach — “Does the Phase of the Moon Affect the Number of Stars You Can See Around It?”

2nd place:

• Mason Dickens, sixth grade, Spring Hill  — “What Mixture Produces the Best 'Volcanic' Eruption?”

3rd place:

• Alyssa Williams, seventh grade, Daytona Beach — “The Effect of Different Water Types on Seed Germination.”

Honorable mention (tie): 

• Makenna Green, sixth grade, Port Orange  —“How Different Brands of Chocolate Affect How Fast It Melts”
• Jessalyn Goodhand, sixth grade, Ormond Beach — “Water Filtration” 

Promoting scientific thinking and methodological learning

At its core, the mission of the FLVS Science Fair is simple yet powerful: to nurture scientific thinking through methodological, hands-on learning experiences, according to Dr. Strate.

Students are encouraged to investigate real-world questions, follow the scientific method, and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving, and clear communication. These are not just classroom skills; they’re life skills that stretch far beyond the project board.

And that’s just what students did, sharing that the Science Fair wasn’t just about results; it was about learning through challenges and surprises.

“I found planting the sunflowers and the water overflowing to be the most challenging. When they overflowed, I had to restart my project with proper drainage, ” said Sir West, who tied for second place.

“The most challenging part was figuring out how to melt the chocolate and then how to measure it. The easiest part actually turned out to be melting the chocolate,” said Makenna Green, who earned middle school honorable mention.

Project showcase

The winners will showcase their projects during a live virtual event on Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. The link and password are posted on the FLVS Science Fair webpage.

Students interested in participating in next year's event are encouraged to visit the FLVS Science Fair webpage for more information.

About the Author: Content and Public Relations Specialist at Florida Virtual School, Katie Hodgins, leverages her extensive experience and passion for storytelling to highlight the people, places, and opportunities that define the FLVS community. A military veteran and lifelong learner, Katie enjoys communicating unique and innovative stories to inspire and engage the next generation. Having traveled throughout the world, she is proud to have planted roots here in Florida and with Florida Virtual School.