Colin Sullivan, an eighth-grade student at Polo Park Middle School, took part in the State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) with his science fair project titled “Explosive Sweets”. His experiment focused on testing the explosive potential of sugar particles under certain conditions that could cause them to explode. Along with Henry Honeycutt, another Polo Park Middle School student, Sullivan competed in the fair, which is organized by the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists.
The SSEF aims to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields by providing a platform for them to showcase their scientific and engineering skills. The event took place from April 2 through April 4 this year and attracted participants from all over Florida. To qualify for the SSEF, Florida students must adhere to specific protocols in designing, conducting, and documenting their experiments and presenting their results to judges at their school. Winners at the school level then go on to compete at the Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair, where regional winners represent their schools and Palm Beach County at the SSEF.
Sullivan expressed his gratitude for the well-organized SSEF and the kindness of everyone involved. He enjoyed interacting with other students and their projects and encouraged future students to participate in the fair as it can lead to positive opportunities.