POTSDAM -- Dresses crafted of recycled materials, a model city powered by the sun and biodiesel fuel made from algae were a few of the projects competing for top honors at the Youth Energy and Environmental Expo held recently at Clarkson University.

Approximately 215 students in grades four through 12 filled the Student Center with over 90 original research projects and experiments.

Each of the projects was evaluated by a pair of judges who interviewed the students as well as appraised the scientific accuracy of their posters and materials.

The 22 volunteer judges included university faculty, professional engineers, school superintendents, business representatives and retired teachers.

The first place winners in each category were:

• Renewable Energy -- Grades 4-6, Using Technology to Educate About Renewable Energy, Little River School, Canton; Grades 7-9, Crabby Solar Home, Madrid-Waddington Central School; Grades 10-12, Solar Powered Incubator, Lisbon Central School.

• Energy Conservation -- Grades 4-6, Projector Conservation Project, Colton-Pierrepont Central School; Grades 7-9, Hydrogen Car, Canton Central School; Grades 10-12, Solar LED for a Fire Truck, Canton Central School.

• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle -- Grades 4-6, Microwave Popcorn and the 3R’s, Colton-Pierrepont Central School; Grades 10-12, Reuse/recycle Eyeglasses, Canton Central School.

• Climate Change -- Grades 4-6, Renewable Icebergs, Trinity Catholic School, Massena; Grades 10-12, Effects of Climate Change in the Adirondacks, Chateaugay Central School.

• Food and Gardening -- Grades 4-6, Fun in the Garden, Potsdam Central School; Grades 7-9, Compost or Store Bought Soil, Colton-Pierrepont Central School; Grades 10-12, Local Food: Our Future, Little River School, Canton.