You are on page 1of 2

HEADLINE NEWS

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building Strong ®


579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) Global Support

Technician steps outside supply box; judges local science fair entries
by Mark Abueg
VICKSBURG, Miss. (Jan. 20, 2010) – Not an engineer or even a scientist by
trade, Ocie Williams leaped at the chance to become a science fair judge to
support students of the Vicksburg community.

Williams judged over 130 entries to support the St. Francis Xavier Elementary
School Science Fair last Friday, Jan. 15. Kindergarteners through sixth graders
put him and five other Mississippi Valley Division members to the test in
deciding whose project showed the most promise in the field of science.

Along with Williams, fellow 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer


Support Team - Main) member, Billy Stewart, and Mississippi Valley Division
employees Ann Bargains, Becky Brown, Don Cool, and James Gutshall
participated as judges during the school’s science fair.

From the moment Williams stood inside the St. Aloysius gymnasium, he knew
his day was going to be eventful. The room was filled with many ventures into Ocie Williams, supply technician for the 579th Engineer
Detachment (FEST-M), judges one of the 130 projects
science, including how to determine if a cat is a southpaw or right pawed; the entered into the St. Francis Xavier Elementary School
difference between hot and cold soda fizz; and even proving how strong the Science Fair. (Photo by Mark Abueg)

sun’s light is and the effects it has on various objects it touches.

“Looking at all these projects, I see a lot of commitment and pride in what the students’ presented,” Williams said. “I
see they took their time and that they didn’t just throw something together. In all the projects I’m judging, I also see
the research process and the extra effort as far as gathering information, so that anyone can understand what they
are trying to present.”

Williams understood what the kids were trying to convey through their projects. He also knew that he did not have to
have a science degree to represent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“This is wonderful opportunity for the FEST-M and MVD to be a part of the community and make a difference,” said
Williams, the FEST-M supply technician. “Even though I don’t have a scientific background, I’ve got a creative
nature very much the same as these kids. Besides my judging criteria sheet, I was looking for originality. I wanted to
know who had enough courage to think outside the box and do something different.”

Williams was given the opportunity to participate as a judge through the efforts of Sharron Harris, the science fair
coordinator.

“I’m really glad the Corps of Engineers is involved,” she said.

The science fair is long process that usually starts months ahead explained Harris. The participants fill out
information sheets and come up with a hypothesis all the way to a conclusion. Final drafts of the projects were due
in December.

“By January, they bring back a finished sample for me to critique,” Harris said. “Once it’s critiqued, then they’re able

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – 579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)


4155 Clay Street, Suite 120, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183-3435
Office: (601) 631-5987 | Cell: (540) 532-7735 | E-mail: mark.b.abueg@usace.army.mil
www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm
----- continued on page 2 -----

Page 2

to enter our student’s fair.”

Each student is given a certificate for participating. There are also individual
awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and an honorable mention.

“No one leaves the fair without being given something for their hard work,”
Harris said. “With all these projects, I feel and I see that our students are
advancing in the area of science.”

Billy Stewart, left, and Ocie Williams, sign in as judges Williams admits he never participated in a science fair while growing up.
before evaluating the students’ science fair projects. (Photo
by Mark Abueg)
“I was more a talent show and sports-type guy,” he said. “I really admire what
the kids have done here today. I only wish I could have done something this cool when I was their age.”

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – 579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)


4155 Clay Street, Suite 120, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183-3435
Office: (601) 631-5987 | Cell: (540) 532-7735 | E-mail: mark.b.abueg@usace.army.mil
www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm

You might also like