BY SARAH DOUGHERTY | 8th Grade Science Teacher
Mt. Carmel Junior High School was represented at the Regional Science Fair in Carbondale, IL, on February 24, 2026. Students secured the right to compete by earning the top scores at the local judging. Eli Wilcox, Matalei Greer, Kinley Mandrell, Addison Carmickle and Mia Dickerson competed individually. Andrew Hagerty and Annie Hagerty competed as a partner group. Students were judged on oral presentation skills, a visual display, a written report, and evidence of scientific process skills. Mount Carmel 8th Grade students competing were awarded a "Bronze" rating for Eli Wilcox, a “Silver” rating for Mia Dickerson and a “Gold “ rating for Matalei Greer, Addison Carmickle, Kinley Mandrell and Andrew and Annie Hagerty based on the scores received. Sarah Dougherty is their 8th-grade Science Fair Sponsor.
Our students were further rewarded for their efforts with their projects by bringing home several monetary awards sponsored by various departments from SIU Carbondale. Pictured L-R are Andrew and Annie Hagerty, who received a monetary award for the Outstanding STEM Project, sponsored by the STEM Education Research Center. Kinley Mandrell, who received a monetary award for the Outstanding Physics Award, was provided by the School of Physics. Eli Wilcox is shown with his certificate from the judges. Addison Carmickle, who received a monetary award for Overall Excellence provided by the School of Medicine. Matalei Greer, who received a monetary award for Overall Excellence sponsored by the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. And Mia Dickerson, who received a monetary award for the Outstanding Zoology Project sponsored by the School of Biological Sciences, Microbiology. This was truly an exceptional achievement to have so many of our students recognized and rewarded for their various studies! Sarah Dougherty is their Science Fair sponsor.
