Under the leadership of Interim Principal Matthew Ginsburg and Lisa Hess, a science instructional coach, the Oliver Wendell Holmes K-6 Innovation School in Dorchester held its first science fair on March 2, in the school gym. While grades K-4 had presentations that they showed to visitors, students in grades 5 and 6 presented their work from science projects. Some examples: balloon cars, sugar crystals, and salinity/buoyancy. Several faculty members, Boston Public School staff, community residents, and a Reporter staff member acted as judges.

Sixth grader Temidayo Okoro shows how to build a balloon car: Measure how far the car will go with various levels of air in the balloon.

Sixth grader Serenity Mendez presents her project to Laquisa Burke, a science fair judge and member of the West of Washington Neighborhood Association.

Interim Principal Matthew Ginsburg and Lisa Hess, a science instructional coach, take a break from their judging.

Fifth grader Tarick Williams (right) shows off his ‘Gas Planets’ science project to his grandmother, Diana Williams, along with his project partner, Brandon Braun (left). Seth Daniel photos