Belmont College Holds District Science Fair
Talented local students showcase their science fair projects at The Ohio Academy of Science Regional Science Day at Belmont College.
St. Clairsville, OH (April 13, 2026) – For more than 30 years, students from local schools have displayed their science projects at Belmont College. The halls were recently filled once again with scientific inquiry.
38 students from three local schools competed in the 2026 Ohio Academy of Science Regional Science Day at Belmont College’s Main Campus in St. Clairsville on Saturday, March 21. This year, there were 10 teams of judges, with 36 projects, 34 of them individual projects and 2 team projects. The event is coordinated by Christopher Clantz, Professor of Natural Science. The 2026 Science Fair will be his final year as Belmont Regional Director with Mr. Ben Fulton, Professor of Biology, taking over for the 2027 event.
Students from the following schools participated: Steubenville Catholic Central (Bishop John King Mussio); East Richland Christian Schools – St Clairsville; and St. Clairsville Middle School.
The District Science Fair is for students who have participated in and achieved superior scores in their school fairs or have been selected by their teachers as having exceptional projects. These projects are judged again by more rigorous standards, and the top projects among all displayed are recognized and rewarded with superior ratings and special awards sponsored by a variety of donors. The very top students are then selected to represent the Belmont College region at the state-level competition at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The 2026 OAS State Science Day is a hybrid event which will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Covelli Center on The Ohio State University campus.
Last year’s 2025 OAS State Science Day results set a Belmont Regional Record with 14 of the 19 student projects (74%) receiving a Superior rating at the State level.
The following students received superiors this year, and as such were eligible to participate in the State Science Day competition:
Steubenville Catholic Central (Bishop John King Mussio):
- Vanessa Grafe – Grade 8 (Behavioral and Social Sciences)
- Layla Meehan – Grade 7 (Chemistry)
- Finn Swope – Grade 7 (Microbiology)
East Richland Christian Schools:
- Levi Bratton – Grade 5 (Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design)
- Emily Brown – Grade 5 (Materials Science)
- Hope Carrel – Grade 5 (Chemistry)
- Madeline Connor – Grade 6 (Materials Science)
- Grayson Drewett – Grade 7 (Physics and Astronomy)
- Caleb George Gooch – Grade 7 (Materials Science)
- Charles Gooch – Grade 9 (Biomedical and Health Sciences)
- Trenton King – Grade 7 (Chemistry)
- Asher Klotz – Grade 5 (Physics and Astronomy)
- Amos Miller – Grade 7 (Materials Science)
- Ruth Miller – Grade 6 (Biomedical and Health Sciences)
- Jackson Parsons – Grade 7 (Plant Sciences)
- Jett Parsons – Grade 5 (Physics and Astronomy)
- Brantley Porterfield – Grade 5 (Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design)
- Elena Robinson – Grade 5 (Materials Science)
- Emi Ross – Grade 6 (Physics and Astronomy)
- Zoe Vickers – Grade 7 (Plant Sciences)
Chosen for the Belmont College President’s award was that of Charles Gooch, a 9th grade student from East Richland Christian for his project titled “Which Brand of Smartwatch is Most Accurate in Measuring Heart Rate?” He also received the Health Sciences project Award.
Also receiving top awards was Elena Robinson, a 5th grade student from East Richland Christian, for her project titled ” Yarn Tensile Strength.” She also received the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship.
Levi Bratton, a 5th grade student from East Richland Christian also earned top honors for his project titled “The heat of light bulbs.” He received the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship as well as the Fifth grade Award for Excellence.
Other special recognitions and cash awards were also given as follows:
The students listed below received recognitions from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh: Madeline Connor; Trenton King; Layla Meehan; Amos Miller; Ruth Miller; Jackson Parsons; Finn Swope; and Zoe Vickers.
The following students received the M.J. Piccin Memorial Award from Belmont College, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Piccin: Emily Brown and Emi Ross.
These students received the Phillip Skinner Memorial Award: Grayson Drewett and Caleb George Gooch.
Additionally, the following awards were presented:
- Linda and David Dunlap Continuing Project Award: Trenton King
- Southeast Ohio Water Environment Association Award: Charles Elliott
The below-listed students received Belmont College Awards for Excellence:
- Emily Brown
- Hope Carrel
- Asher Klotz
- Vanessa Grafe
- Jett Parsons
- Brantley Porterfield
- Emi Ross
Special thanks to: Belmont College and Dr. Paul F. Gasparro; Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Margaret M. Piccin (M.J Piccin Memorial Award); Linda and David Dunlap (Phillip Skinner Memorial Award) (Continuing project award); Southeast Ohio Water Environment Association; Ohio Tuition Trust Authority; Belmont Regional Science Fair Council.
Special thinks to Judges and Tally room assistants: Dr. Tyler Brown; Mrs. Malissa Campbell; Mrs. Ellen Christakis; Dr. Suzanne Clutter; Dr. David Collins; Ms. Emma Conners; Mr. Spencer Echemann; Mr. Ben Fulton; Mrs. Rita Fulton; Mrs. Theresa Garrett; Dr. Christopher Gooch; Ms. Sarah Lendon; Mrs. Meghan Marshall; Mrs. Jamie McGinnis; Mr. Anthony Miller; Mrs. Danielle Moore; Mrs. Sandy Morelli; Mr. Ed Mowrer; Mr. Matt Mowrer; Ms. Alisha Parsons; Mrs. Amanda Piegan; Mr. Matthew Potter; Mr. Paul Stecker; Dr. Duane Stutzman; Dr. Carrie White; Mrs. Elaine Wood; and Mrs. Kari Yockey.