The Science of Veggies and Vitamin C
Blessed Sacrament’s Connor McCauley Places 5th in Statewide Competition
Submitted by Beth Bonczek
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School seventh grader Connor McCauley placed 5th out of 17 students in the Junior Chemistry Category at the 60th Annual Colorado Science and Engineering Fair. In addition, McCauley received a $100 scholarship and the top award from the Colorado Chemistry Teachers Association.
He also received honorable mention and a scholarship from the American Chemical Society.
“I was told I needed more vitamin C in my diet and I don’t like dark green vegetables. I wanted to prove my parents wrong and eat other vegetables that I like more,” McCauley said. Therefore, his project was done to test the level of Vitamin C in vegetables.
The statewide science and engineering fair was held in Ft. Collins, April 9 to 11. Students were required to submit research plans containing the following:
1. The rationale for the project, including a brief synopsis of the background that supports the research problem and an explanation as to why this research is important scientifically.
2. A statement of how the hypothesis(es), research question(s) engineering goal(s) and expected outcomes are based on the rationale.
3. Detailed description of research methods and conclusions.
4. Bibliography of at least five major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, Internet sites) from a literature review.
“The judges told Connor that his was a fantastic project and was clearly a 12th grade level project,” said Katy Glennon, middle school science teacher at Blessed Sacrament. “They also told him that his project was unlike anything they had ever seen. I couldn’t be more proud of all the hard work Connor put into this project.”
After placing first in Junior Biochemistry at the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair in February, McCauley advanced to the CSEF, where he was the only student representing Park Hill neighborhood schools.
More than 2,000 students in grades 6 to 12 participate in science fair programs statewide. The purpose of the CSEF is to stimulate student interest and encourage students in science and engineering through recognition of their research knowledge, ability, and achievement.
Established in 1922, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (BSCS) has been educating students in the greater Park Hill Community of Denver, focusing its mission on faith, education and service. BSCS has an enrollment of 390 preschool – 8th grade students.