By Dewey Schara

Neveln Elementary Principal

Catherine Haslag is a Chemistry Instructor at Riverland Community College. She has for years been one of the volunteer judges for our local science fair. However, she discovered a problem; many of the students had great ideas and interesting projects, but they lacked the polish and depth necessary to seriously compete in the science fair. Like any exceptional scientist, she developed a hypothesis and devised an experiment.

Catherine wondered what would happen if local experts were to mentor our students on the development of their project. Would participation increase? Would the projects be more competitive? With the financial support of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), Catherine set out to conduct her experiment. In order to have enough mentors for all the students, she focused on two schools, Neveln and Sumner elementary schools.

Catherine lined up all the mentors from the community, Riverland, Hormel, the Hormel Institute and numerous other partners. The mentors worked with students at both schools for six to eight weeks, for an hour two days a week. The commitment on the part of the mentors was extraordinary. Each school had at least two teachers work tirelessly on our end to coordinate locations, storage and support during science class.

To say the experiment was successful is an understatement. Both Neveln and Sumner’s student participation tripled. In addition, each school had several students move on to the regional competition in Mankato.

Neveln and Sumner would like to publicly thank the numerous people who made this possible. Without the mentors, teachers and of course Catherine Haslag, this entire experiment and all its success would be impossible. When you read the list below you will recognize several of our collaborators. When you see them out in public, please take the time to thank them for all their efforts.

Science fair helpers

Program organizer

Catherine Haslag

Teachers

Rachel Stange, Shelly Weinmann, Deborah Cook, Brad Dahnert, Jessica Brandt, Jena Ziebell

Site Hosts

Peggy Benzkofer

Jill Maxfield

Catherine Lemons

Sue Grove

Gail Minerich

Mentors

Carla Anderson-Diekmann

Taylor Bellrichard

Jason Beadell

Judy Bjorndal

Carolyn Bogott

Fred Bogott

Jim Burroughs

Michelle Claymore

Rick Herreid

Veronica Jimenez

Richard Lemons

Bailey McDonough

Phil Minerich

Carmen Mullenback

Jim Peterson

Adam Stange

Nicole Shute