Wednesday, February 13, 2002
|
Wednesday, February 13, 2002 |
|
Students demonstrate scientific abilities at annual fair Twenty Fayette students will compete at the regional level next week after winning awards in the sixth annual Fayette County Science and Engineering Fair. More than 100 projects created by students in grades 6-12 were entered into the fair in the categories of physics, zoology, engineering, environmental science, medicine and health, botany, chemistry, microbiology, behavioral, earth/space and aerodynamics. In order to enter projects, students must have earned top placements at their schools' individual science fairs. This year, 14 students received honorable mention or special recognition awards and 20 projects were selected to advance to the regional science fair sponsored by the Regional Educational Service Agency Feb. 21 at the Experiment Station in Griffin. Regional winners will advance to the state fair scheduled for later this year. At the county competition, a team of two judges evaluated each project. Judges rated the projects using the same rubric that is implemented at both the regional and national level. The rubric evaluates the experiments on creative ability, scientific thought/engineering goals, thoroughness, skill and clarity. The judges selected the top two projects in the life science and physical science division as well as in the team category for both middle and high school. Those projects, along with other strong contenders as determined by the judges, advanced to the regional competition. "Out of the 18 projects that we sent last year, 17 of them won awards. That says a lot about our students and their abilities," said Sharon Boyer, coordinator of science and health for the Fayette County School System. This year, two students received special awards sponsored by the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association, Atlanta Chapter and Publix Supermarket on Ga. Highway 74 in Peachtree City. Amanda Cavanuagh of Fayette County High School received the AFCEA award for her project titled Solar Flares: How They Affect the Earth's Atmosphere. She received a $50 cash prize and a one-year membership to the organization. She will also be invited to attend a recognition luncheon later this year at Fort McPherson. Each year the AFCEA gives this award to a senior student. Lauren Norman of Fayette Middle School was the winner of the technology award with her project titled Winging It. She took home a scooter courtesy of Publix. Norman said she was pleased to receive the prize since her old scooter was broken. Students receiving honorable mention awards at the fair were given $25 gift certificates from Fisher Scientific. Those students awarded honorable mentions were Joey Gaspierik and David Byrd, Amy Evans and Sarah Wittkop, Stephanie Smith, Meagan Lee, Emily Mask, Lisa Shean, Jason Veclotch, Marissa Brown, Daniel Lin and Alison Hunter. Students taking first and second place in the life science, physical science and team junior and senior divisions were awarded a $50 and $30 cash prize, respectively. Students placing first and second in those divisions advanced to the regional competition. Junior division: (life science) Johathan Smith, first place; Katie Tramonte, second place; (physical science) Allison Fratto, first place; Evan Roth, second place; (team) Michelle Baily and Natasha Lee, first place; Joseph Morris, Brian Heufner and Brian Forsyth, second place. Also advancing to the regional competition in the junior division was Jane Abel, Melissa Crowell, Kelcie Wilson and Ravi Dayabhai. Senior division: (life science) Melinda Murray, first place; Gretchen Lawhorn, second place; (physical science) Shirley Li, first place; Carey Owens, second place; (team) Alex Crawford and Billy Castillo, first place; Angela Garza and Erin Patterson, second place. Also advancing to the regional competition in the senior division was Tony Hung, Amy Ladewig, Ginger Dunn, Don Williamson, Kimberly Capell, Tracy Welch, Jacqueslyn Kirsch and Lindsay Anderson.
|
||