Woodbury eighth-graders recognized for aeronautics

Students from Saint Margaret Regional School, Woodbury Heights, received regional accolades recently for their achievements in science.

On April 3, eighth-grade students Nicholas Wagner and James Boland took honorable mention in the Grade 6-8 team category of aeronautics at the Delaware Valley Science Fair at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. Just a few weeks earlier, the two won first place in the same category at the Coriell Institute Science Fair at Camden County College, Blackwood. 

The boys were among more than 900 students from across Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware to compete at the Delaware Valley Science Fair after winning in Blackwood.

Sponsored by the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, the Coriell fair is open to students from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties in grades six through twelve to demonstrate their passion for science in exceptional projects that span the sciences, including biochemistry, botany, computer science, mathematics, medicine and health, physics and zoology.

Inspired by their interest in aeronautics and competing in this specific category, Wagner and Boland’s project, titled “No Longer Your Average Paper Plane,” tested three different paper planes, each with a different aeronautic feature. 

The goal of the project was to determine which plane had the best proportions to make it fly farther. After thorough research and testing, the duo determined the best prototype and presented their findings.

“The shape and size of a wing can affect drag on a plane and can add or subtract weight from the plane,” read the final report. “This is important in designing planes because it affects the way a plane flies. This product has been incredibly beneficial for us as it relates to our desired career in aeronautics and the desire to share it with others considering a similar career.”

Regina Butterworth, middle school science teacher and adviser for the science fair, knew early on that the boys would work well together. 

“Starting in sixth grade, my teacher’s intuition ‘clicked’ in that these two boys had the skill and talent to do something great with their love of planes,” she said.

As winners at both the Coriell Institute Science Fair and Delaware Valley Science Fair, Anne Zuccarelli, Saint Margaret’s vice principal, noted, “What an honor, not only for James and Nicholas, but also for Saint Margaret Regional School.”