Matthew Fargher was in class fiddling with a paper airplane when he launched an idea for his science fair project.
“I wanted to see what paper airplane design would fly the farthest,” he said.
The Ashbrook senior folded computer paper into three different planes and hit the runway. He experimented an hour a week for more than a month until he landed his answer: A slim plane, which flew about 19 feet.
Fargher was one of several hundred local students who entered projects into the annual Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Students were tasked to explore a hypothesis or create an engineering design.
Projects tackled topics such as using lemons to create power, reducing energy use in homes and the physical effects of lying (complete with a Pinocchio graphic).
Sixth-graders Gabe Robinson, Andy Martinez and James Cole demonstrated how an Archimedean screw pump works. Their pump used tubing to transfer water from a low-lying location to a higher location. A narrower tube moved water the fastest, they proved.
“My favorite part was building it and testing it,” Martinez said. “I learned how to get water uphill without having to carry it.”
Organizers said the fair helps encourage a culture of science, technology, engineering and math in the Gaston community. Many of the students said they’re interested in pursuing careers in the fields.