IJHS student earns state science prize

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 8, 2000

When Anthony Rice began studying the feeding patterns of hummingbirds this year, he thought the project would do well in the Ironton Junior High Science Fair.

Monday, May 08, 2000

When Anthony Rice began studying the feeding patterns of hummingbirds this year, he thought the project would do well in the Ironton Junior High Science Fair.

He didn’t think the zoology experiment would receive a superior rating at the state level.

"I never really expected it," Rice said. "After winning the local science fair, though, it really got me fired up to go to the district fair. I never thought I’d go to state."

At the state fair at Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Rice competed against students in grades 7-12.

"It was a great experience," Rice said. "I would relive it if I had that chance."

And Rice plans on returning to the state science fair once he enters in high school.

"I’ll certainly try," he said. "I’ll try my best to get back there and perhaps I’ll get another superior rating at state."

Learning about science interests Rice.

"I think science is important because it’s a study about the world," he said. "Things revolve around it, like animals, plants, water, machines. A lot of kids should excel in science. It’s better to be more prepared than not prepared at all."

The science world better be on the lookout for Rice, said Melanie Conley, Ironton Junior High seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher.

"He’s an excellent science student and an excellent student period," Mrs. Conley said. "I’m extremely proud of his achievement. And he will do another great one, I promise you that."

And, one day soon, Rice could be curing cancer, setting law precedent or inventing a smarter and faster computer.

Rice has narrowed his future career goals down to doctor, lawyer or computer scientist.

"I like helping people," Rice said. "And I’m really good at the computer. I love working on the computer. And lawyer, I’ve always had a passion for law."

If all goes well, Rice’s science fair project could end up paying for his future education.

State fairs offer scholarships to students who show promise, Rice said.

"Wright State gave two full scholarships," he said. "But it was only for high schoolers."

Rice will be a high schooler this fall, and he already has plans to begin the next phase of his project this summer.

"I will find out if hummingbirds prefer a sweeter or less sweeter nectar," Rice said.