Successful Scientists: ISP students gain confidence by creating science fair projects

June 6, 2025

Garrette reacted with excitement this spring when a Northwest High School student asked him what he enjoyed most about conducting a science experiment with crystals.
 
“The salt crystal was my favorite,” Garrette typed into his communication device that he brought to his science fair booth.
 
Garrette and fellow Individual Success Program (ISP) classmates Mary, Josh and Ava shared their newfound scientific knowledge with dozens of Falcons at the annual ISP Science Fair. They created booths about topics such as food choices of fish and the effect of sugar on ice cream for the event, which took place on Northwest’s first floor. Students from English and biology classes asked them questions about their projects and complimented them for their work ethic.
 
ISP teachers Adi Holmes and Ashely Peterson and speech-language pathologist Anna Hower smiled as they watched the conversations unfold. Students began working on their projects in January and completed the entire scientific process of experimentation and discovery. They then developed display boards that let them relay their research to an audience.
 
“I’ve already been tearing up just seeing the excitement that they have, being able to show their parents and other students what they’ve been working on,” Hower said. “I was watching one student, and seeing her smile just made me smile so much.”
 
“Every year there are always such creative ideas and the students have so much fun with it,” Holmes said. “It’s really awesome because Ashely and I both, as teachers, love teaching through discovery, so this is a really great way of doing that. Seeing their personalities come out through their projects and then allowing them to just discover things has taught them a lot, so it’s great.”
 
ISP provides individualized academic and behavior instruction and support for students in the program. Many students used communication devices to speak with teachers throughout the day.
 
Brook Hamrick has spent 24 years at LPS and has worked with ISP for the past three years. She said the science fair provides students with confidence and a sense of community.
 
“It’s super fun to see them do activities that other kids get the opportunities to do throughout their educational careers,” Hamrick said.
 
Peterson began teaching in ISP at East in 2019 then at Northwest when the building opened three years ago. The 18-year LPS veteran heard about the possibility of a science fair for ISP students, and she began pursuing the idea with fellow teachers and administrators. She said activities like the science fair promote student well-being in both academic and social ways.
 
“I think it’s essential,” Peterson said. “It’s a chance for our students to explore different ideas and have opportunities in life, and it’s a chance for them to experience life to the fullest and be able to participate in things and interact with other students.”
 
Peterson and Holmes spent time with students each Monday on the science projects. Garrette, Mary, Josh, Ava and classmate Sully conducted experiments and inputted their data into a computer program that created graphs. They then compiled the graphs and pictures onto display boards.
 
Hower then built scripts using their communication devices that allowed them to interact with visitors at the fair. Each display board listed several questions that Northwest students could ask them after viewing their project.
 
“This is a huge deal just for them to have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned with other people in a way that they are able to,” Hower said. “They’re amazing human beings who have great ideas, and they get to share them with everybody.”
 
Holmes and Hower said the science fair was a valuable experience for visitors as well. English and biology students spent time talking with each participant and shared heartfelt smiles with them. In addition to discovering which food beta fish like to eat, they also learned about compassion and acceptance.
 
“I’m glad to see that there are a lot of Northwest students coming down today, because not only is it beneficial for our students, but it’s really beneficial to them too,” Holmes said. “Teaching empathy is what it’s all about, so I think it’s great. It can do nothing but good for everybody involved.”
 
“What’s cool is that our school has been amazing with their involvement with ISP and our special education program,” Hower said. “Our Northwest teachers and our administrators come to the fair, and they’re excited to see what our students have been doing because they interact with them throughout the year.”
 
After everyone had toured the exhibits, students gathered into one of the ISP classrooms for an awards ceremony. Northwest Principal Cedric Cooper presented certificates to everyone in categories such as Best Presentation, Most Innovative and Best Experimental Design.
 
Peterson said she counts down the days to the ISP Science Fair each year because of the long list of ways that it benefits students.
 
“One of the highlights of the year is doing this with the students,” Peterson said. “I think they really enjoy it. They’re always excited about it.”

Learn more about our Special Education Department and the services provided on our website at https://home.lps.org/specialed/.
 
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