Inside King's-Edgehill School
Dear KES Family:
The big questions in life are always answered in the Junior School’s annual Science Fair.
If I drop food on the floor, is it safe to pick up and eat? An examination of the five-second rule by Cooper Pape ’25 probed this question using bacterial growth on food left on the floor for varying periods of time. His findings suggest that for processed foods (which are typically laden with preservatives), it doesn’t really matter how long you wait before picking it up. You can take your time, dust it off, and eat it no problem. However, it does appear that for natural foods with high moisture and sugar contents, the longer one leaves food on the floor the more bacteria it will absorb. Like an investment portfolio, the five-second rule doesn’t guarantee germ-free food, it is more a measure of acceptable risk.
Chaz Faucher ‘26 explored the age-old question of whether music affects athletic performance. Admittedly, the choice of music makes a difference, but Chaz’s research indicates that a good workout song enhances athletic performance in 60% of participants. The right song certainly works for me!
For years, my older brother and I were intrigued by paper airplanes. We built them all, altering shape and wingspan, weight of paper, and adding flaps for stability. We had a few heated arguments about which was the best design. Fifty years have gone by, and James Hodder ‘26 has settled our disagreement with his research on paper airplanes, and which design flies the furthest. His data collection is quite extensive and reveals that the classic V-Wing airplane glided further than the Dynamic Dart, the Flying Squirrel, or any other of his five traditional designs.
There were over a hundred projects, and each one was intriguing in its own way. Isabella Barker’s ‘27 research into eye colour revealed that considering ailments, environmental factors, and genetics, the best eyes are brown eyes. Tommy Upton ‘26 discovered that sea salt is the best at melting ice. His sister Dulcie ‘28 researched which flavour of gum lasts the longest. Now I know why my favourite (Juicy Fruit) is only tasty for about ten minutes, but a minty gum by comparison keeps its flavour many times longer. These are all good things to know if one wants value for money and fresh breath.
I love the Science Fair. The energy and the nerves of the presenters, and the enthusiasm of the Senior School judges, are all wonderful elements for education and growth. Some projects are life changing. For example, based on Kelsea Griffiths ‘07 project on chocolate chip cookies last year, I now always bake cookies with butter, and never with margarine or other kinds of shortening.
Sincerely,
Joe Seagram
