It is the question that begs answering in the world's scientific community.

"What brand of batteries will operate a toothbrush the longest?" scientists everywhere are asking.

Next to the age-old debate whether or not cookies taste better with or without sugar, the battery question is probably the most hotly-debated subject in the scientific world today.

Enough jokes. Fourth graders at St. Augustine-St. Edward Catholic School really did distinguish themselves Thursday at their annual science fair.

Their teachers, Deborah Cook and Marnie Leif, praised their efforts and Principal Richard Cook was also pleased.

Judges from Pacelli High School admired the work and even second graders at school had fun.

Twenty fourth graders displayed projects on the second and third floors of the school Thursday. Since January, the students have been preparing for the competition as part of their school curriculum.

At the heart of the effort was the timeless "scientific method." Beginning with a purpose, the students proceeded to the hypothesis, collected materials, explained the procedure, defended the results of the testing and drew conclusions just like scientists at the Hormel Institute and other research institutions of the highest learning.

The categories were botany, consumer product testing, earth and space, environmental science, physical science, zoology and humans, medicine and health, engineering and computers and math.

Several of the older elementary students competed in last Saturday's Austin Science Fair.

For all St. Augustine-St. Edward fourth graders, it was mandatory to submit a project and participate in Thursday's science fair.

For those third graders who also participated, it was optional.

So what did parents and other visitors see Thursday afternoon?

Molly Bissen, a fourth grader, studied "What soil makes bean seeds grow the best?"

She determined potting soil was the best for growing beans. Assured, the judges had finished inspecting all the projects, Bissen confided, "My father helped me with the project."

Nick Hoffman and Joshua Carlson teamed up to examine a study "Do plants grow better in milk or water?"

According to the results of the boys' research, their plants grew 11.1 centimeters in milk and 11.3 centimeters in water.

What kind of milk did the boys use? "Fat-free," Hoffman said.

Ashley Flaherty was one of the students obsessed with beans and their growth.

With help from her sister, Flaherty's study determined beans grow better in soil than water.

"What do they call it when you grow plants in water?" the fourth grader was asked. "Hydroponics," the students answered without hesitation.

Audrey Ferris and Stephanie, who are "best friends" examined "Why do volcanoes erupt?"

The answer? "There's gas inside and it erupts," Flaherty said.

Her research partner said the second graders who came around to see the project, "thought it was pretty cool."

The baking soda "explosion" was a real crowd-pleaser in the girls' demonstration.

Jordan Flaherty and Lauren Rieker don't have any pet cats, but they found one for their experiment "What food do cats like best?"

Three different cat foods were used. "We put them in different dishes and watched which one the cat ate," Rieker said.

Friskes was the winning brand and the young scientists had the pictures to prove it.

Abby Evenson's "Sip All day, Get Decay" project was a hit with the students.

She examined the affects of sugar-laced sodas on teeth.

According to her study, Coke failed. "It has the equivalent of 15 teaspoons of sugar in it," she said.

For her effort, Evenson earned first place honors.

And the winners are …

A complete list of the winners included:

Physical science/Earth and Space science: 1st place: "Why do volcanoes erupt?" Audrey Ferris and Stephanie Kocer. 2nd place "What keeps water the coldest?" Danielle Bilidt. 3rd place: "Can tinfoil create a circuit?" Tim Shaffer and Jordan Kiker. Honorable mention: "Do watches and clocks keep the same time?" Justin Herrold.

Botany: 1st place: "The effects of different kind of light on the growth of the philodendron." Colton Scherer and Scott Snyder. 2nd place: "Which soil makes bean seeds grow the best?" Molly Bissen. 3rd place: "Plants grow better with different kinds of liquid." Sophia Hebrink and Taylor Sederquest. Honorable mention: "Do plants grow better with milk or water?" Nick Huffman and Josh Carlson.

Health and Medicine/Zoology and Humans: 1st place, "Sip All Day, Get Decay." Abby Evenson. 2nd place: "Medicine Man: Jenny Nyguyen. 3rd place: "Does TV Affect Kids' Behavior?", Satchel Londino-Green. Honorable Mention: "Which good do cats like the best?" Jordan Flaherty and Lauren Rieker.

Consumer Product (Products) Testing: 1st Place, "What is the best paper towel?" Matt Duren. 2nd Place: "What stain remover removes stains the best?" Lindsey Chapek. 3rd place: "Pick the best cleaner." Bethany Andera and Heather Wolf.

Consumer Product Testing (Food and Health): 1st place: "Let your taste buds decide." Nina Carney and Mary Kate Barinka. 2nd place, "How do cookies taste without an ingredient?" Alexis Felten and Brianna Myers. 3rd place: "Taste 2 different pops." Zhudonna Hultgren.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com