Holly DeBernardo

Over the past 10 years, innovations from the Internet have allowed people to connect across the country for invaluable learning opportunities. DeBernardo saw a chance to use the advancements of the Internet in reinventing the typical and created the "Ear th Changes" project. She will have student teams research the web and establish online relationships with experts in their chosen topic to create a series of web based science fair projects. In addition to project completion, students will institute and maintain a Virtual Science Fair website for them to display their online projects. Students from other schools in the area will be invited and encouraged to contribute projects of their own, creating an online community of learning for all students involved. Funds will be used to purchase necessary items for the project that the school does not currently own. Students involved with the creation of the online fair benefit by becoming "mini-experts," thus creating more excitement about science and opening learning opportunities beyond the school doors. DeBernardo lives in Lordstown.