Wetumpka High School students left their mark in state science competitions and exhibitions over the last month.
Over the last year the students have studied chemistry, plastics and agriculture outside of the classroom. They have run so many tests it has driven some to challenge relationships and even family. It has worked for junior Lily Vilardi who has been studying microplastics. Her project placed third in the state science fair at Auburn University last week and second in the paper reading. It provides a unique opportunity for Dr. Virgina Vilardi to push her granddaughter's studies.
“I’m always telling her to go,” Virginia Vilardi said. “We have been doing this since fourth grade. Hers this year, we were lucky we had a place for it on the family farm.”
The project involved isolating the discharge from a clothes washing machine to filter and photograph the microplastics contained in the discharge.
“It was an electromagnetic device to pull the microplastic out of the washing machine,” Lily said. “We had to filter every single time. There were loads and loads of laundry.”
Lily’s science fair project will not go beyond the state competition but there is still a chance at paper reading as an alternate.
Dr. Vilardi doesn’t play favorites, though. She challenges all of her students. They did as well or better than Lily in the state science fair competition at Auburn and many will return there this fall as college students.
Senior Parker Thompson placed first in the chemistry category. He looked into chemicals in clothing manufactured overseas. Senior Ashley Fulmer was one of 12 Gorgas finalists in the state competing in the biomedical and health sciences category.
“I was testing different kinds of peppers,” Fulmer said.
Senior Whitley Shull took his aquaculture floating pod project and received a cash award from sponsors. Shull will continue his studies after Wetumpka at Auburn’s electrical engineering program. Senior Jason Bailey competed in the chemistry category.
“I was comparing and contrasting bottled waters to local tap water,” Bailey said.
Bailey placed in the category and plans to major in chemistry at Auburn and become a research chemist.
Junior John Belew competed in the robotics category. He used a robot in an agricultural setting to monitor plant seedlings.
Dr. Vilardi said the students had a unique opportunity to work on presenting their projects the week prior to the state competition.
“We were part of the STEM Expo at the Maxwell Gunter Air Show,” Vilardi said.
The Wetumpka students were one of only two schools there and the only school to present all three days. Brew Tech Magnet School in Montgomery brought its Vex Robotics team for two days, but Wetumpka had students with robots, race cars and science fair competitors. They joined presentations from two and four year schools and programs from the McWane Science Center and the Civil Air Patrol. It was all lined up next to the main attraction — the Blue Angels.
“We had a spot inside the hangar and we took our Greenpower cars demonstrating them on the flight line,” Vilardi said.
The experience gave the students a chance to interact with military personnel, enthusiasts, students and staff from other schools.
“It was a way to get ready for the science fair competition and a way to pay back to the community for their support,” Vilardi said. “It shows them what we do and encourages others to come and join us.”
The air show also gave the students a chance to pick the minds of those in attendance as well about their projects and possible future science projects. Belew might continue to study his project, but will take the summer to look at other alternatives and activities.
“As juniors we are focusing on upcoming club activities beyond science fair such as the robotics teams,” Belew said. “We will gear up for competitions for the fall and do more research for our projects in the future.”
