Teacher and at least 100 students acknowledged at annual science awards night

Mallory Troop knows where to find the best deal on a burger in town. Her science fair project "Battle of the Burgers" gave her the Carl's Jr. answer.

"I wanted to see what burger has the most beef and cost the least amount of money," she said. "We ordered one hamburger each from five restaurants - Carl's Jr., Burger King, A&W, Wendy's and McDonalds - and weighed only the burgers on a food scale."

She determined the Carl's Jr. burger offered the best return on her money, followed by A&W, McDonalds, Burger King, then Wendy's.

Troop, a third-grader at Seeliger Elementary School, was one of more than 100 Carson City School District students recognized Wednesday during Science Fair Awards Night at Western Nevada Community College.

Many of students who received a certificate will participate in the regional competition in March in Reno.

"Thank you for coming tonight," said school district superintendent Mary Pierczynski. "Thank you for supporting our children. We've very excited to have all these great scientists in the room tonight."

The award night was dedicated to Eagle Valley Middle School science teacher Eric Anderson, who died away in October 2004 from cancer.

"We were so fortunate to have him at Eagle Valley Middle School for a long time," Pierczynski said. "His dream was for us to have science fairs and he was really a big proponent of getting them going in the district."

Of the multitude of science fair projects on display was one by Seeliger third-grader Walker Plaut, who discovered that his dog, George, stayed up longer on his hind legs for Scooby Snacks or grapes than for green beans, cheese or ice cubes.

Shelby Park, a fifth-grader at Empire Elementary School, discovered bones bend after soaking them in vinegar. Chicken bones that is.

She came up with her science project idea after searching the Internet and reading that vinegar breaks down the calcium in bones.

"I didn't think they were going to actually bend," she said. "And I wanted to see if they would or not."

Mayor Marv Teixeira was also present at the science fair and spoke briefly.

"I just want to compliment the kids on their science fair projects," he said. "I did learn something tonight. I know what kind of popcorn I'm going to buy from now on."

According to Mark Twain Elementary School third-grader Malia Tiffer, that's Act II popcorn. It pops the most kernels.

- Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.