Three students from Fayette County High School have been awarded first place in the NASA Student Involvement Program's 1999-2000 competition.

Lauren Stoll, Kim Dempsey and Crystal Bradley are being honored for their entry in the Space Science Journalism division, a five-minute video news report on the F-22 fighter plane under construction at Lockheed Martin, Marietta.

In addition to this first place entry, the team of Brian Cox, Bill Waits, Abby Clements and Darron Johnston received a third place award for their entry in the Design a Mission to Mars competition, and Chandra Simon, Laura Powell and Layla Smith were awarded a second place for their entry in the Space Science Journalism competition.

NSIP is a national program that stimulates math, science, technology and geography excellence through five competition categories designed for students in grades three - 12.

More than 300 students submitted an estimated 1,200 entries to the competitions. Students engage in research that promotes critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration skills.

Student entries are judged at NASA centers by teams of scientists, engineers, educators, journalists and other professionals who select first, second and third place winners. The FCHS winning entry was judged and selected at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center. The award is an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Symposium May 6-10.