Regional Science Fair

On Feb. 27, Ben Franklin Academy's Middle School sent 12 students to the Regional Science Fair at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. One of them, Zach Worthing, was nominated to compete in the state Colorado Science & Engineering Fair, which will be held April 11-13 at Colorado State University. Congratulations! 

In addition, six of the 12 Ben Franklin Academy students who participated in the Regional Science Fair were recognized for their projects. The students (and their projects) receiving acknowledgement include: 

• Audrey Butler/Trillions of Triops
• Henry Dunkleberger/Gear Mania
• Adam Sepan/Bombs Away
• Chase Sieradski/The Spin Factor
• Emma Walilko/Lighting up the Dark Side of the Moon    
• Zach Worthing/Common Beverages and Tooth Decay

We wish Zach the best of luck and are very proud of our extraordinary showing at the regional competition! Also, thank you to Mrs. Denham and the members of the STEM Committee who helped these students prepare for the regional event. 

Regional Science Olympiad Event

On March 2, 14 of our sixth and seventh graders traveled to Fort Collins to compete in the regional Science Olympiad competition. Thirty-eight teams with 15 students per team competed in 23 events. Teams could consist of students in sixth through ninth grades. In our inaugural year, we had significant accomplishments from the 13 events in which we chose to compete.  

 

Our Ben Franklin Academy team earned third place and a bronze medal in the mousetrap car competition, and we are proudly displaying the winning vehicle and earned medal in the front lobby. The team also took fourth place in the meteorology competition and seventh in the forestry competition. In more than 60 percent of the events the Ben Franklin Academy team chose to compete, we were proud to be on the top half of the leader boards.  

 

The Ben Franklin Academy team is as follows: Nic Capucci,
Henry Dunkleberger, Brenden Geiselhardt, Tyler Greenberg, Dennon Harkey, Mark Keplinger, Samar Masood, John McCoy, Matthew McCoy, Issa Nieto, Caleb Rickel, Holden Romero,
Adam Sepan, Alex Warren and Abi Wolf.

 

The team had a great time in Fort Collins and is excited to add all of the events to its competition portfolio for next year.

Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament

Our very own Ben Reinholtz, goalie for the Arapahoe Ice Warriors, represented the Colorado Avalanche at the 54th Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament in Quebec City, Canada, Feb. 14-24. 

 

Team members stayed with billet families during their time in Quebec, giving them a chance to experience the French Canadian culture first hand. This year's Avalanche Pee Wee team won all five of their tournament games, including winning four games in four days, to earn the International-B Championship. Congratulations, Ben!

TEDx Youth Event

On Friday, April 12, all middle school students have the privilege to attend a TEDx Youth Event at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. Please let me know if your child will NOT be able to attend, as we will not return to school until around 5:45 p.m. The cost is $10 to cover transportation.