Photo by Travis Pratt Glenelg Country School student Katie Modrow explains her project, “Effects of the Frederick Sewer Treatment Plant Discharge on the Monocacy River,” to another participant’s mother, Selva Chezhian, on Friday afternoon at The Great Frederick Fair.

Frederick County Public Schools officials hope to use The Great Frederick Fair to send that message to young fairgoers.

"There really is a lot of science in agriculture and farming," said Chris Horne, the school system's elementary science curriculum specialist. "We want to help make that connection."

Last year, shortly after he was promoted to his position, Horne toured the fair and saw the many ways science is put to use in agriculture.

At last year's FCPS secondary science fair, participating students were asked if they would be interested in displaying their projects at this year's fair.

Three students -- Brunswick Middle School's J.T. Bergman, Urbana Middle's Iniyan Chezhian and Katie Modrow, now at Glenelg Country School but a Banner School student when she completed her project -- participated in the inaugural science fair Friday.

The three young scientists spoke about their projects, then fielded questions from Horne about their work. After the presentations, audience members were encouraged to get a closer look and ask questions of the students.

The projects were varied. J.T. built a solar-powered water distiller, Katie researched the effects of the Frederick wastewater treatment plant on the Monocacy River, and Iniyan studied how different growing environments affect seed germination.

Pointing to J.T.'s project, Horne said a lot of research and a lot of math were involved in building the contraption.

"Science isn't a narrow field, it has many connections and many uses," Horne said. "We hope that these kids would help our elementary school students get excited about science."

Educators not only want to encourage more kids to get involved in science, math and technology, they want to recognize those who do.

"We want to have more recognition for the kids who participate," said Jim Ferrant, a retired curriculum specialist.

Younger kids have a natural curiosity about science, but the more difficult courses get, the more likely students are to drop the subject, Ferrant said.

"We're hoping to reverse that trend," he said. "And we hope efforts like this one help."

Horne also took advantage of the event to get in a plug for the elementary science fair, set for Dec. 5.