Members of Nashua Christian Academy’s freshman class participated in the New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition recently.

Nineteen students from NCA, representing seven research projects, competed in this statewide event in March at NHTI, Concord’s Community College.

The purpose of New Hampshire SEE is to increase knowledge specific to the scientific method of science, technology, engineering ant mathematics; improve public speaking skills; and provide experience doing research in a laboratory setting.

Students in high schools throughout the state prepare research papers and oral presentations, log their work in scientific notebooks, and produce tabletop displays summarizing their procedures and results.

Organizers of the exposition noted the high quality of the work the NCA students were bringing early in the process. The competition is typically among seniors, so the presence of so many freshmen with approved projects was unusual.

Ninety-seven teams participated, including the seven from Nashua Christian Academy. Although entering as freshmen competing against teams of seniors, NCA teams won second-place awards in the chemistry, physics and engineering categories.

NCA’s research projects included:

“Ski Wax and Friction.”

“Column Chromatography.”

“Animal Magnetism: Do large mammals align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field?”

“Why birds fly in a V-formation.”

“Rethink Your Drink (How much sugar are YOU consuming?).”

“Companion Planting.”

“Fighting the Flu: How your immune system uses its memory.”

Students spent the day giving their oral reports to judges, and then enjoyed an awards buffet. Cash prizes were presented to students who placed first or second in their categories, with the first-place winners going to the National Science Fair in Washington, D.C.