This week, middle school students arrived on campus with their arms full of Science Fair projects. Science Fair is always an exciting time at OLQP. The projects are directed and facilitated by Dr. Whitmarsh, middle school science teacher. Community partners mentor students as they go through the process. Students use the scientific method to prove a hypothesis. The projects are long-term and research- based. The products are judged on several criteria. Community partners come in to judge the projects. Staff members tally the scores. OLQP graduates run the computer program to identify project awards. Lower elementary students participate on a voluntary basis with their teachers and parents acting as the mentors. Students are able to view the projects in order to see what a blue ribbon project looks like and to get ideas of their own. Some of the amazing projects included: a study of heat transfer on different liquids, earth worm's preferred food, which chemical extinguishes skunk odor best, surface tension, and how milk can become plasticized. There were forty-one first place winners and seventeen second place winners. Many of the projects will go on to the Brazoria County Science Fair.

At morning prayer, students have been asked to reflect upon their special gifts and talents. In conversation with God, they are invited to ask for His guidance and find quiet in order to listen and hear the answers to their queries. In today's culture, finding quiet is becoming more and more challenging. Students are encouraged to use the time they have in morning prayer, at Mass, and at Adoration. Students are challenged to make time to turn away from all their "screens" and have a conversation with Our Lord. Scripture tells us that if we ask, we will receive. Praying as family in the evening or hearing your child's prayers as you are putting them to bed are beautiful habits to instill. Making time to pray together as a family on a daily basis demonstrates to children that prayer is an important value and not just something that the family does on Sunday. Working together, we can help students grow in relationship with God. That is where true happiness is found. Thank you for being part of the OLQP family.