With some middle and high school students enrolled in full-time virtual learning and others attending school on a hybrid schedule, the new way of teaching and learning during a pandemic did not stop science enthusiasts from entering projects in the annual Fayette County Science and Engineering Fair.

A total of 118 students from all of the county’s middle and high schools presented 112 projects for judging. The fair was conducted virtually on January 12 with judges in one location and the students presenting their projects via Zoom from their schools. Projects covered a diverse range of topics including effects of color on memory, magnetism and plant growth, and effects of biophilic design on productivity and human well-being.

Forty-four students and 35 projects won first place honors and will be advancing to the Griffin RESA Regional Science and Engineering Fair on February 4. Students who take first place honors at the regional competition will be eligible to compete at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair that will be conducted virtually in April .