THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605250235
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: 62 lines
Joseph Whitley knew that weather experts have used iodine to try to weaken the force of some hurricanes. But Whitley wanted to see for himself.
So, for a science project this year, the 14-year-old eighth-grader at Isle of Wight Academy brewed his own storm to test the theory.
``I made a box with three compartments,'' he explained. ``A hurricane forms when warm air and cool air meet. So I put boiling water in one compartment, dry ice and water in another. And, in the third compartment, I had a beach to show the effect.''
And the iodine worked. The little storm in the box that swirled vertically rather than horizontally, as most storms do, diminished somewhat when he applied iodine with a nasal aspirator.
Whitley's storm impressed his teachers so much that his written description of the project was entered into the Virginia Junior Academy of Science's 1996 competition.
The judges looked at 1,900 papers from high school students, both private and public, statewide, Whitley's teacher, Cassy Peffley, said. Only 900 papers were accepted.
Whitley's was one of them, and so were those of three students at the academy: Kristy Carr, an eighth-grader; Kara Doggett, 10th grade; and Meredith Spivey, 11th grade.
Carr constructed ant farms and observed the behavior of the insects. Doggett tested the effects of nitrogen on the early growth of field corn. And Spivey extracted alum from a soda can.
``We went through all of the papers submitted by students at the school,'' said Joseph DeVincentis, IWA's chemistry and biology teacher. ``Because of the caliber of these students' papers, we suggested they submit them to the VJAS. Just having a paper accepted for presentation is an honor in itself.''
The students took off to Virginia Commonwealth University for three days last week to present their papers before scientists from all over the state, all members of the Virginia Academy of Science.
The three-day VJAS conference is designed to find and encourage scientific talent among Virginia students in grades seven through 12 and to promote fellowship between its members and adult members of the VAS. It's also meant to encourage students to pursue careers in science and engineering. The first meeting was held in 1941.
The IWA students must have impressed the judges. Of the four who attended the Richmond conference, three garnered state honors. Doggett placed second in the agricultural division; Whitley got an honorable mention in earth science; and Spivey an honorable mention in chemistry.
Criteria used for judging the papers, Peffley said, is: background, concepts; testable hypothesis, clear explanation of methods; experimental design; data presentation; conclusion findings; independent thinking; quality of written paper. The students also were judged on their oral presentation and delivery.
``We are so proud of these students because they did these projects on their own time,'' DeVincentis said. ``It wasn't something they did at school.''
``It's very exciting,'' Peffley said. ``This represents a year's worth of work for these students.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LINDA McNATT
Heading for the science academy were, from left: Joseph Whitley,
Kristy Carr, Kara Doggett and Meredith Spivey. by CNB