Fountain Hills High School recently hosted its annual science fair, with more than 450 students from the high school participating in this year’s event.

According to organizer Dr. Paul McElligott, more than 160 trifolds and papers were presented over the two-day event that was judged by local instructors across various scientific fields.

The winners of the event were announced during an open house held on March 3. Five first place awards were given out, one for each major field. Of those, a top five were then elected. Trophies were also provided for the top three research papers.

First place overall went to Laura Anderson and Katie Laessig for their project on “Music as medicine,” which won the Behavioral subgroup.

Second overall and first in physics was Sam Aker, Simon Edwards, Bruce Ferguson and Robbie Cole for “The Dip theory.”

Third overall and first in bio-chemistry was Riley Grant for her report, “Where’s the beef?”

Fourth overall and first in bio-med was Charlotte Tornee and KC McMahon for their report on “How different drinks effect recovery.”

Finally, fifth overall and first in animal sciences was Parker Smout, Jaryn Rodriguez and Jenna Rodriguez for their project on “Chickens: Store feed vs table scraps.”

First place winners will now compete at the state competition on April 12, hosted out of the Phoenix Civic Center.

This year’s fair was sponsored by the FHHS Research Club. McElligott said he and fellow teachers Mrs. Neaton and Mrs. Robinson were proud of all of their students’ presentations.