The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Outreach and Education has announced the winners of its planetarium show essay contest.
The contest called for students grades 3-8 to answer the question: Should Pluto be reclassified as a planet? Three independent judges rated entries based on four categories, including science content, originality, enthusiasm and writing level.
The winner of the 3-5 grade category was Dante Steinhorst, a third-grade student at Columbus Elementary in Edwardsville. Taking top prize among the 6-8 grade entries was Aurora Pilkington, a seventh-grade student at Edwardsville’s Liberty Middle School.
“All of the essays had interesting points of view,” said SIUE STEM Center Instructor and Outreach Specialist Colin Wilson. “I watched the debate about Pluto’s status happen as an adult, and wondered if students who have only ever known eight planets would feel as strongly. They do!”
“The two winning essays were the most enthusiastic and most scientifically relevant among the many entries,” he explained. “Looking up the reasons given by the International Association of Planetary Sciences makes it seem like the decision is cut and dry, but these students definitely put some thought into what the implications were, and why people should care.”
Entries were received from students attending several Edwardsville schools, as well as Saints Peter and Paul School in Alton and Shipman Elementary.
“The StarLab allows us to provide amazing new presentations, and we’re eager to share the unique experience with area schools,” Wilson said. “We’re currently scheduling StarLab visits with the winners’ schools, and looking at next school year for a repeat contest with a new topic.”