Mars second- grader Spencer Merkel built a miniature motor with copper wire and two Duracell batteries for the Mars Area Elementary Science Fair. Spencer's dad taught him copper isn't magnetic, but can generate an electromagnetic field when it conducts electricity.

ADAMS TWP — Two hours, two gyms and 200 students were elements in the Mars Area Elementary Science Fair Wednesday night.

To be part of the science fair, students conducted experiments with a partner or on their own. Projects came in all shapes and sizes.

“It doesn't have to be hard,” said Penelope Fox, who planned this year's science fair as a member of Mars PTO. “It doesn't have to be expensive.”

But it did have to be a student-driven idea.

Eight “scientists” — all students in the University of Pittsburgh's school of medicine — judged entries by talking to students about their projects. The science fair was conducted at Mars High School.

“We remember doing this when we were kids,” said Michelle Lynskey, a graduate student researcher.

“The science fair was the first time you got to do science projects,” said Aaron Johnson, another graduate student researcher.

Wednesday night marked some elementary students' first science fair, such as second-graders Spencer Merkel and Adelaide Smaretsky.

Spencer worked with his father, Brian, to build a “mini motor.”

“My dad taught me that copper is not magnetic,” Spencer said.

But copper does generate an electromagnetic field when electricity is run through it. Spencer's miniature motor used two Duracell batteries and a little copper wire.

Adelaide made slime for her science project, “Slime Time.” She chose her project after having a personal experience.

“One day … I left my slime out, and it dried in no time,” Adelaide said.

Using slime recipes with different “activators,” Adelaide timed how long it took for each type to dry. Her Borax recipe dried the fastest.Time also was involved in third-grader Patrick Quinn's experiment.“We're looking at which cheese molds the fastest,” Patrick said.Patrick, whose favorite cheese is gouda, discovered mozzarella molded quickest of the cheeses he tested. Romano, goat milk brie and Colby-Jack still hadn't grown mold after three weeks of testing.If there's one thing Patrick and his mother, Tara, learned, it's to store cheese in the refrigerator.Fox said there were no prizes for first, second or third place Wednesday night. Students were rewarded for participating. The point was to get children interested in learning and experimenting.The best part of the fair?“You get to do science,” Spencer said.“It's fun promoting the STEM (learning),” said Nicole Martucci, judge and graduate student researcher. “If you aren't having fun, then it's not worth it.”

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Mars fourth-grader Luke Romig tests electrical current coming from potatoes on his science project at the Mars Area Elementary Science Fair on Wednesday night at Mars Area High School. Romig's project tested whether potatoes generate more electricity than lemons. He used current from the potatoes to power LED lights in a model house he built as part of the project.