Over 1,500 projects were displayed at the annual Illinois Junior Academy of Science Fair at Southern Illinois University May 3-4. Four projects and five students represented St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School in Lemont. 

The students competed along with other schools in several scientific categories.

Drea Sarno, Max Schuette, Madie Skwarek, Lia Alfonso and Sophia Filipek competed and advanced from the local and regional competitions to make it to the state finals. All four projects earned a gold award.

Mrs. O’Hara praised the student's efforts; she said “The students started their projects in October 2018, and then competed in a local competition in January. Six projects moved on to the regional fair in March. Four projects were then invited to Carbondale for the state finals”.