Freshman Rachel Osborne decided to combine her passion for sweets with her required Science Fair Project.

For the project, Osborne cooked fudge and then cooled it in different batches at different temperatures. This caused different sized crystals to form, which she then observed and analyzed. The experiment took a day to make all the fudge and examine the crystals that formed.

“I went online and saw the idea. I like sweets, so I picked it right away. But the fudge actually tasted really gross and terrible.  It was crummy quality fudge,” Osborne said.

Even though contestants could have a partner, Osborne decided to take on the experiment by herself.

“I was new this year so I didn’t know anybody to partner with, but it would have been hard to coordinate between two people so I’m glad I didn’t have one,” Osborne said.

Osborne was awarded a blue ribbon at the Queeny Science Fair and a purple ribbon at the Parkway Science Fair. The $550 she received will go toward her college fund.  She received $400 from Monsanto and $150 from a crystal society.

“I was so excited when I won. I started laughing and yelling and all my friends looked at me like I was an idiot. My parents are making me put the money in my college fund,” Osborne said.

Osborne is currently enrolled in honors physics and plans on continuing to excel in science.