CHESAPEAKE — The brand names lost.

That’s what fledgling Chesapeake Middle School scientists say they found out when they worked on their projects for this year’s science fair that was held Tuesday at the middle school gym.

Zach Bonecutter took as his experiment what kind of battery lasts longer in a flashlight.

“They always say Energizer lasts long, but it seems it’s not true,” Bonecutter said.

He tried out three types of batteries in flashlights discovering that the Energizer lasted only six hours and 44 minutes, compared to the Sunbeam brand at 10 hours and 20 minutes. However the big winner was the generic that came in at 13 hours and 43 minutes.

“This means the expensive ones may not be the longest lasting,” Bonecutter said.

Anna Rose decided to test out bags of different microwave popcorns to see which one gives you the most kernel for your pop. Her finding was that the Orville Redenbacher has the most unpopped kernels at 35 compared to PopWeave with the least at 21 unpopped kernels.

Among the judges was Ralph Oberly, a physics professor at Marshall University.

“So far they have been decent projects in that they use the scientific method,” Oberly said. “When these kids grow up and get jobs, especially in the technical world, they will be given projects. These represent the very best of those kinds of projects. Science fairs are a priceless part of their education.”

Brieanna Bartrum checked out the emergency room of Cabell Huntington Hospital to seek if a full moon does affect behavior. She discovered more patients came through the emergency room on a full moon night.

And Melanie Noble and Shandi Pine found out that to get coffee stains off the shells of hard-boiled eggs, your best bet is Colgate and worst is Crest with Aqua Fresh and Arm & Hammer tied for second place.

Also judging the students was Chesapeake Special Ed instructor Jennifer Force who was impressed with the originality of many of the project ideas.

“A couple of these would contribute to our community needs,” Force said.

2009/2010 CMS SCIENCE FAIR

8th GRADE

1ST PLACE—TAYLOR PRICE—Which Light Source Produces the Most Vivid Color Spectrum?

2nd PLACE—LINDSAY BLAKE—Will One Hair Work the Same on Three Different Shades of Hair?

3rd PLACE—RYAN TAYLOR—Flirting with Disaster

4TH PLACE—JORDAN TAYLOR—Where is more Particulate Matter?

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

ANDREW SAUNDERS—What Paper Towel Absorbs Water the Best?

CALEB HEFFNER—Does Air Pressure Affect the Way a Basketball Bounces?

TAYLOR BANE—Are Permanent Markers Really Permanent?

RYAN GARCIA—Floating Egg

CHAD MEADOWS—Which is Stronger—an Empty Soup Can or an Empty Pop Can?

GRAYSON COLLINS—Which Mascara Gives the Best Results?

DREW OXLEY—Which Insulator Works Best—Wool or Cotton?

SAWYER STEPHENS—Breaking the Mold

7TH GRADE

1st PLACE—LOGAN MCCLOUD—Exergames: A Solution for Obesity in Kids

2ND PLACE—MIKAYLA HANNAHS—Which Type of Fruit Inflates a Balloon Fastest?

3rd PLACE—ALLISON MCCOY—Quicker Dissolving Medicines

4th PLACE—CAITLIN THEISEN—Scent Concentration

HONORABLE MENTION:

RACHEL HANDLEY—Does the Angle at Which Light Hits a Solar Panel Affect the Energy Produced?

6TH GRADE

1st PLACE—WES STEPHENS & BRAD MEADOWS—How Does Acid Rain Affect Rocks?

2nd PLACE—BLAKE ASHWORTH & ROBIN FRYE—Which Light Bulb Produces the Best Light?

3rd PLACE—NICK BANE & GAGE RHOADES—Audio Adrenaline

4th PLACE—KATIE BENTLEY—Does Music Affect Hamsters in a Maze?

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

GRANT HAWTHORNE—Mold Growth Rate on Organic vs. Inorganic

AUSTIN OLDAKER—Renewable Phone Charger on the Go

HANNAH HENSLEY—Make Your Mark

MELANIE NOBLE & SHANDI PINE—Whitening Toothpaste

CARLY MACFARLAND & CARLEY LESTER—The Bouncing Basketball