The AgriScience Expo, sponsored by the Monroe County Farm Bureau Foundation and University of Illinois Extension, was held April 5 at the Monroe County Annex in Waterloo.

The top three students from each of the participating schools — Columbia Middle School, Valmeyer School, and Waterloo Junior High School — competed for the “top agriscience investigation” in Monroe County.

The top investigations in the expo were: first place – Ashley Hartman of WJHS (What kind of material grows seed best?); second place – Loren Koenigstein of Columbia Middle School (More Light = How Much More Growth?); and third place – David Lewis of WJHS (Do Renewable Fuels Release the Same Amount of Heat Energy as Nonrenewable Fuels?).

The top three projects from CMS were Koenigstein, Ryan Groszak (How to Clean Pennies) and Elaina Vitale (Holographics Flexibility).

The top three from Valmeyer were Ike Franke (Does using Quik Chik increase the weight of ducklings?), Jackie Gibbs, Guin Kohnz and Sara Andres (Baking Brownies) and Adam Maus (Plant food effects on growth).

The top three from WJHS were Hartman, Lewis and Lydia Johanning (E-85 vs Premium).

Each participant received a $5 coupon good at the Columbia or Waterloo Dairy Queen.

The top winners received $75, $50, and $25, respectively.

For the program finale, expo participants and their science teachers will travel to Creve Coeur, Mo., for the Breeding & Agronomics Technology Tour at Monsanto on April 29.  The program’s goal is to increase student understanding of agriculture and food science, and familiarize them with career opportunities related to these industries.