CONSEF Regional Science Fair at COSI

Thursday, February 20, 2025  

Lead The Way youth participate showcasing his work at COSI

The 2025 CONSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair at COSI was an exciting showcase of student innovation and learning, with K-12 students from Horizon Science Academy schools in Columbus and Dayton participating. Students presented projects across a wide range of fields including biochemistry, environmental science, and engineering.

Some projects included measuring bacteria buildup on common surfaces, comparing water quality from different sources, observing pH changes in salt solutions when electricity is introduced, and tracking video games’ affect on hand eye coordination.

Science fair attendees presented their trifold poster and research notes to guest judges including high school science teachers, Horizon Science Academy staff, community leaders, and STEM professionals. It was clear that students had been preparing for weeks collecting data, creating visuals, comparing hypotheses to results, and practicing their public speaking skills.

Lead The Way Learning Academy was proud to be a part of this event as a community resource. Coaches engaged with students at their table, sharing information about our programs and how we help teens explore career opportunities through work experiences. Attendees stopped by the informational table for fun LTW swag including popular fidget spinners!  It was a great opportunity for students to connect with professionals and share their hard work. We can’t wait to see how these scientists continue to grow through high school and beyond!

It was heartwarming to witness parents and children engaging with each other and with our staff, strengthening the sense of community we strive to build at Lead the Way. One of the highlights of the evening was our special raffle, where we gave away a brand-new laptop to one lucky family. Seeing the excitement and gratitude on their faces reminded us why these events are so important! We don’t just  meet immediate needs, we empower our youth and their families with opportunities for success!

We are beyond grateful for everyone who contributed, attended, and helped make this event possible. We look forward to hosting more game nights and community events in the future, continuing to meet the needs of our families while creating positive and lasting experiences. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited for what’s to come!