Curiosity and scientific thinking were central as students from Northbrook Junior High participated in the annual Science Fair. Nearly 40 students presented their original research projects, demonstrating their skills in scientific inquiry.
Of the 39 students who took part, 28 qualified to move on to the Illinois Junior Academy of Science regional competition, which will take place on March 7 at Wheeling High School. The selected projects were the result of months of planning, experimentation, and analysis.
The Science Fair is a key component of the semester-long Independent Science Research course at Northbrook Junior High. In this class, students learn to use the scientific method, find and assess reliable sources, design experiments with controls, and present their findings using formal research papers that include data, graphs, and visuals.
The event relied on volunteer judges who offered feedback and guidance. These judges included staff from the district, family members, community volunteers, former educators, alumni, and college professors.
The district thanked all those involved for making the event a valuable learning experience for students.
Northbrook School District 28 includes Greenbriar Elementary School, Meadowbrook Elementary School, Northbrook Junior High School, and Westmoor Elementary School in Cook County (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district has a teaching staff composed mostly of women—84.4 percent—with an average salary of $85,866; none have more than ten absences per year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). Demographically, the student body is predominantly White at 77 percent; Asian students make up 13.4 percent; Hispanic students are 3.9 percent; Black students account for less than one percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, spending per student was $34,963 with total expenditures reaching $64 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
