New Prague High School Activities

Brian Prchal attended the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from May 10-May 16. The week was filled with learning about the history of the city through a Segway tour, visiting the Carnegie Science Museum, successfully escaping from the Escape Room Science Lab in almost record time, touring the Heinz History Center and showcasing his project on homemade biodiesel in comparison to conventional biodiesel for efficiency and exhaust analysis. Although he found the biodiesel to be slightly less efficient, it did burn cleaner. He made the biodiesel that he tested from waste vegetable oil. A full day of judging was following by a day of public viewing, which included 3000 Pittsburgh school children. Over 70 countries were represented with 1700 students participating. Brian competed in the Energy (Chemical) Category with 48 other students. Five students were awarded a fourth place grand award of which Brian was one of them called to the stage. He was thrilled to end his 9th year of science fair on such a high note! Community Education and the Gifted/Talented Program sponsor the New Prague District Science Fair.

New Prague Middle and High School Science Fair State Participants competed in Bloomington March 20-23 at the Doubletree Hotel. Events included the Middle School paper competition where Alex Smisek, Anna Prchal and Julianne Pankow presented a powerpoint of their research paper and project to judges. Anna Prchal was awarded a medal for her presentation.  Brian Prchal presented his research paper in the Junior Symposium for High School Students.  All of these students competed with a project at the Minnesota Academy of Science Engineering and Science Fair as well, in addition to Vicky Erickson, Olivia Balfanz and  Janae Becher. Special awards were earned by Brian Prchal with a Mathematica Software Package, and Janae Becher earning a bronze medal (top 30 % of projects).  Olivia, Julianne and Anna were named honorable mention for the bronze award. Jodi Prchal was awarded the Seagate Excellence in Mentoring award for teachers. Prchal was nominated by students. In addition, Seagate donated $1000 to the science program as well.  Students took part in a 3M Visiting Wizard Demonstration, among other science activities. Brian Prchal will be representing the southern region of Minnesota at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in May.  Students who are interested in working on a project for next year should start thinking soon about a topic. Jodi Prchal is the advisor of the group and can be reached at jprchal@np.k12.mn.us to get information. Science fair is sponsored by New Prague Community Education and the Gifted and Talented Program.   Group photo is Smisek, Becher, Pankow, B Prchal, Balfanz and A Prchal (missing is Vicky Erickson)

On Saturday February  21, 8 students from New Prague Schools competed in the regional science fair in Mankato. Projects involved air purification, fuel efficiencies, water quality in area towns, candle efficiency, potato energy, homemade biodiesel,  soda’s effect on teeth and  memorization. Along with the traditional project, a number of these students wrote a scientific research paper related to their project. They then created a powerpoint presentation and competed in that format as well. Approximately 20 special awards were earned by this group along with numerous state trips for either the project, paper or both. State will take place March 20-23 in Bloomington.    Several students were also nominated to compete in other competitions and Brian Prchal, senior was selected as the Top Project Overall for regions. He will go on to represent Minnesota at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in May.

1. Vicky Erickson: Meterological  Society Certificate, Association of GeoScientists Certificate, Biology Scholar Award from Thin Film , Blue Paper, Purple Project (going to state)

2. Anna Prchal: CSET Paper Award , Broadcom Masters Nomination, Ricoh Sustainability Certificate, Energy and Transportation Thin Film Award, CSET Sustainability Award, CSET Energy and Transportation Award. Purple project and paper (going to state)

3. Julianne Pankow: Broadcom Master Nomination, CSET Highest  Paper Award . Purple project and paper (going to state)

4. Janae Becher: Physical Science Thin Film  award, Broadcom Master Nomination. Purple project (going to state)

5. Olivia Balfanz: Thin Film Young Scientist Award for Grade 6 , Thin Film Engineering Award . Blue Project (going to state)

6. Brian Prchal: CSET Energy and Transportation Award, Ricoh Sustainability Certificate, Arizona State University Nomination for another competition,  Paper award ( second for HS paper), will represent MN at ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) in Pittsburgh (1st Place Overall at regions).Purple paper and project (going to state)

7. Paige Claeys -Blue Project

8. Alex Smisek-Blue Project and Purple Paper (going to state with paper and project)

* To be nominated for the Broadcom Master’s Program the middle school project must be in the top 10% of the projects. Three middle school students from New Prague  will be applying for this prestigious award this spring. Also, it may be possible that our blue placings will go to state as well (they are on alternate list). New Prague Community Education and the Gifted/Talented  make science fair possible. It is coordinated by Jodi Prchal. Photos will be forthcoming.