For his Eagle Scout project, Alec Nattress turned to science.

“My project was an educational science fair that was meant to teach children in our community that science is more than just a difficult subject in school, it majorly impacts our world and our advances in technology that people enjoy today,” said Nattress, 17, of Tamaqua Troop 777. “Most of all I wanted to show our community that science is fun!”

Nattress held the free fair - complete with shows, experiments and refreshments - from St. John’s United Church of Christ in Tamaqua.

Visitors saw science happening right before their eyes.

“Take for example, the chromatography lab that we did. Chromatography is used to separate all of the pigments that exist within a mixture into their own separate colors which allows them to be separately analyzed,” Nattress said. ”This allows for the exact identification of what that substance originated from.”

The science is commonly used in crime scene investigations, he said.

“It is extremely useful to help identify suspects and victims based on our DNA database,” Nattress said.

He also arranged a visit from the DaVinci Science Center of Allentown.

“I got the idea for the science fair because I have always been fascinated with the art of teaching and thoroughly enjoy watching others learn - especially science,” he said.

His project coach was West Penn Elementary School teacher Michelle Bittner, who arranges science fairs at the school. Troop members and volunteers included Anthony Odorizzi, Mason Derr, Adam Bachert, Eric Richardson, Jackie Richardson, Michael Graham, Thomas Graham, Jay Arner, Andi Girard and Anne Girard.

Nattress, who will be a senior at the Tamaqua Area High School, is the son of Tara Eisley and Brian Nattress, and the stepson of Leslie Eisley.

“I want to encourage people to get involved in scouting. Through scouting I have had many wonderful experiences, built strong friendships, learned many useful and valuable life skills that go beyond camping. Scouts has given me the opportunity to explore subjects I might never realized I enjoyed and so much more,” he said.

He thanked his Scout leaders.

“Without them, their dedication to scouting and patience in teaching skills I would not have been able to successfully complete my Eagle Scout project,” he said.