“Don’t go online and Google ‘best science fair project,’” Southwest Ultraviolet Robotics Mentor Lynn Meyer said as she described the 2025 Windom Science Fair. “It doesn’t need to be perfect, and it shouldn’t be somebody else’s idea.”

The sentiment seemed to stick as students’ personal interests in animals, weather, and crystals shone through amongst the rows of science projects in Windom School’s gymnasium.

The Southwest Robotics Team worked with 3rd through 5th graders and judged roughly 60 science projects at Windom School on Dec. 10. There were no winners or prizes, just budding scientists with a sheet of positive comments from their high school mentors.

The robotics team helped students, who opted into the science fair, work on their projects throughout the fall with an introductory session and a follow-up help session. Students were encouraged to talk to their extended family and neighbors for help.

“If they got a geologist working next door, then you should go talk to the neighbor next door,” Meyer said.

Harper R. and her friend Estelle L., resident geologists, did an experiment with rocks and crystals “because they are fun and cool to research.” They tested whether rocks and crystals made different noises when dropped, and the duo used Harper’s crystal collection for the experiment. None of her crystals broke during the experiment.

Mattias M. studied tornados after discovering his interest through a trip to the library with his dad. Despite his love of tornados, he said he has yet to see “Twister” due to the scary nature of the film. Mattias demonstrated a tornado through two soda containers, a crowd favorite.

A group of three scientists studied surface tension and had people guess how many pennies it took for a cup of water to overflow. The answer was 25 (I guessed incorrectly). The leader, Bennett, excused himself while he tried to track down his other group members who had chosen to play instead of work. A judging sheet to the left of this project’s board noted that the Robotics Team judge appreciated the interactive Q&A portions of the project.

“I think it’s good to go out to the community and talk to them, have them do some science,” Southwest Robotics Team member Jonah Karch said about his involvement. “The science stuff is shrinking. There’s a lot less teachers and they’re doing less topics now.” For example, Karch said there used to be computer science and environmental biology classes available for students.

Karch also commented on the originality of the Windom student projects, including one that tested whether a cat was left or right handed. You know I had to track down that project.

Bennett S. tested a hypothesis that male cats are more likely to be left-handed by documenting what paw his male cat used to paw treats out of a scratcher and a glass. He added a third experiment when he noticed Jeter Cat pawing at tape on a box.

“We were setting up our big Christmas tree. There was tape on the box. My cat just walks right up and starts playing with it,” Bennett S. explained. The results showed Jeter used his left paw much more than his right in all three experiments.

Windom School’s Principal Eric Loichle weaved his way through the rows of experiments, engaging with students on their work.

“The kids are super excited, they love the science and making the projects,” Loichle said. “What else would you rather do on a Wednesday night in mid-Decemeber during the middle of a snowstorm?”

Loichle said the school was grateful to have the support of the Southwest High School Robotics Team, which helps begin a STEM pathway from elementary school to high school.

This was the third annual Windom Science Fair and will continue to run annually through the collaboration with Windom School partners and the Southwest Robotics Team.

Editor's note: Southwest Voices chose not to publish elementary school children's full last names due to varying degrees of comfortability amongst parents.