Students in grades 5-8 at John L. Ory Magnet School are busily preparing charts and displays to showcase science research projects they have undertaken over the past few months.

They will enter these displays in the school’s science fair next week with the hopes of winning an award and advancing to the parish’s competition.

“The science fair is always a favorite project for our students. It gives them a chance to show their teachers and friends the bizarre and interesting information they have learned in their scientific studies,” said Teri Noel, principal of John L. Ory Magnet.

Noel said many of her students each year advance to the parish science fair and beyond to the regional and state competitions.

Brooke Edmonds, a sixth grader at Ory Magnet, said her project will address how foods affect children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder, or ADHD.

“I learned in my studies that foods do affect children with ADHD. For example, high fatty foods or foods with lots of sugar can greatly impact their behavior,” Edmonds said.

Edmonds said she became interested in the topic after seeing a documentary on ADHD children. She said she hopes to become a pediatrician.

Noel said the school requires all students in grades 5-8 to participate in either the school’s science or social studies fair. They can participate in both if they choose.