Middle School

Our 7th-grade students have been diving into the fascinating world of genetics, exploring the structure of DNA and its role in the inheritance of traits. As part of this exploration, students drew their own unique dogs based on assigned traits. They also had the exciting opportunity to see how DNA analysis aids in solving crimes, making real-world connections to their learning. Building on this foundation, students are now applying their knowledge to understand how proteins are made within our cells—a process essential for life. Up next, they will tackle the intriguing topic of genetic mutations, uncovering how small changes in DNA can have significant effects. Science is full of discovery, and our students are eager to continue exploring!

Central Lee Middle School students have been hard at work during the first semester on their Science Fair projects. Each middle school student designs, carries out investigative research, and shares their findings. Students who wish to take their science research further have the opportunity to compete in additional science fairs.

Central Lee Middle School held its first science competition on February 5, featuring 65 projects and 101 students. Participants presented their research to judges from local organizations and volunteers. Students will have the opportunity to participate in four more scheduled science fairs, along with other competitions if they qualify.

Allan B. Adams Award (Monetary Award)

Inspiring Excellence in Science Awards

• Abigail Ferris and Emry McCarty

• Evan Frueh

• Rylee Britton

• Anna Loges and Elise Andrews

• Aiden McDowell

• Jarrett Hirschler and Holden Pezley

• Abby Johnson and Kaydelynn Klesner

• Aubrey Dill and Bianca Sanders

• Emiline Robbins and Hallie Rudd

• Kaitlyn Ferris

  
  

Special Awards

Best Photography

• Aralind Grafton

• Molina McKnight and Alissa Fraise

• Zoey Jones and Lily Jacobs

Most Prepared 

• Laney Moore

• Addalie Daly

• Derrick Gruntmeir

Best Graphs

• Kaylee Moeller

• Savannah Overton

Most Original

• Aubrey Dill and Bianca Sanders

Most Exuberant

• Ross Lindner

Best Dressed

• McKenzie Daly and Madison Frueh

• Drake Newton

Conservation Award - Certificates

• Talon Boyer and Aurora Ahlen - Does an Automatic Waterer Work For Your Plants?

• Addalie Daly - Can the Nutritional Value of Eggs Be Altered?

• Ross Lindner - Micronutrients on Alfalfa: How Much Do You Need for Higher Yield and Feed Value?

• Isaac Edens - Tomato Plant Response to Mechanical Stimulation

• Laney Moore - Improve Water Choices

• Olivia Umthum - Does Fertilizer Grow Taller Tomato Plants and Produce More Tomatoes?

• Riley Edens - Well, Well, Well, What do We Have Here, Phase II

• Zoey Jones and Lily Jacobs - No Fly Ash, No Problem

• Kaylee Moeller - Fertilizer’s Influence on Plant Growth

• Adalyn Dill and Charli Day - Filtration Methods

• Jaxson Mueller and Brody Ruffcorn - pH Level of Ponds

• McKenzie Daly and Madison Frueh - Algae Overload

• Ruby Larson and Kaitlyn Morrison - Caffeine and Heart Rate: A Pharmacological Study Using Daphnia magna

Overall Awards

Central Lee Awards (Monetary Award)

Overall Champions (1 for every 13 groups)

• McKenna Fransk

• Drake Newton

• Kaylee Moeller

• Brylee Cook and Kaylee Stark

• Addalie Daly

• Brooklyn Rudd

• Tie - Madelyn Kieler and Aiden McDowell

• Mason Longenecker

• Tie - Olivia Umthun and Savannah Overton

• Zoey Jones and Lily Jacobs

• Aralind Grafton

Group picture of all Central Lee Science Fair participants

3rd place recipients

2nd place recipients

Overall Category Champions

Pictured below is Winnie Benner presenting her research to judges from the community. 

High School

Students are actively engaging in hands-on learning about simple circuits and electricity in our newly equipped physical science classroom lab at the high school.

The physics class has explored five different engineering challenges and will test their solutions at the state physics competition at UNI in April. The image shown features one of the catapult designs from an in-class competition where students tested their creations against each other.

The chemistry class has been actively applying classroom concepts through hands-on experiments in the new lab. This image captures students observing various chemical reactions and physical changes in action.

This image showcases the physical science class investigating first-class levers and exploring the concept of mechanical advantage through hands-on learning.

Biology classes recently completed a unit on ecosystems. At the start of the unit, students designed and built their own ecosystems in small groups. Over the next month and a half, they gathered data on various aspects of their ecosystem. Their designed ecosystems served as talking points and provided the foundation for the rest of the unit’s instruction.

Pictured are Mason Sanders and Austin Fogarty assembling their ecosystem design.

Kain Arrowood, Jodee Boone, and David White using their project design to begin their ecosystem-building process.

Pictured above are the CLHS students that participated in our Local Science Fair on February 2. Students in the photo are:

• Front Row (Left to Right): Addison Hohl, Arabella McDowell, Allison Gruntmeir, Haylee Smith

• Middle Row (Left to Right): Alivia Cook, Lillian Rozario, Evelyn Adkins, Baylee Stewart, Adason Canida, Addison Peterson, Aurora Edens and Jack Benner

• Back Row (Left to Right): Nadia Boyer, Owen Burgess, Beau Boyd, Tristan Robins and Caedon Newton

Congratulations to sophomore Allison Gruntmeir on her induction as a fellow of the American Junior Academy of Sciences (AmJAS)! During the week of February 11-17, Allison represented the state of Iowa and Central Lee High School while attending the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and AmJAS annual national meeting in Boston, MA. She presented her research, networked with scientists from around the world, participated in conference sessions, and connected with fellows from other state delegations.

Allison was selected in April 2024 as a member of the Iowa delegation and was awarded an all-expenses paid trip to present her research in Boston. She is the daughter of Amy and Brian Gruntmeir of Donnellson.

Dates for 2025 Science Fair Events

• February 22: Culver-Stockton College Science Fair in Canton, MO

• February 24-25: Heartland Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (Formerly Iowa’s Junior Science and Humanities Symposium) in Ames, IA

  • January 14: Research proposals due 

  • January 24: Notification of accepted proposals

• March 6: Super-Conference Science Fair at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA

• March 15: Eastern Iowa Science & Engineering Fair in Cedar Rapids, IA