Eighth grader Partap Sidhu from John F. Kennedy Middle School recently took home first place in the physical science category of the South Asian American Women’s Alliance Middle School Science Fair. Partap showcased his project, an animatronic hand, which impressed fair goers.
He began preparing for the science competition in December 2022 with the guidance of his science research teacher Steve Carroll and technology teacher Dan Zabell. Throughout the months, Partap worked diligently on his project during the weekends and went to about four libraries to 3-D print his animatronic hand which moves with an animatronic hand controller that he wears. One move of a finger and the animatronic hand copies its movement.
As evident from his science fair project, Partap has a knack for creating impressive things. This past Halloween he created his own motorized Iron Man helmet.
“As a technology teacher, this was clear proof that Partap was ready to do all the work needed for acing science fairs,” Mr. Zabell said.
Partap was among eight John F. Kennedy Middle School eighth graders who participated in the fair which was open to seventh and eighth graders across Long Island. Here, the students presented their research projects to judges with the hopes of earning a top spot in one of the science fair’s four categories – biological science, behavioral science, earth and environmental sciences, and physical science.
Partap will officially be recognized at the SAAWA’s middle school awards ceremony in June. The district congratulates him on this outstanding achievement!
