Local winners fair well at Intel and state
View calendar of public events
Two senior sweepstakes winners of the 2009 Tri-Valley Science & Engineering Fair (TVSEF) sponsored by LLNL in March attended the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2009 (Intel ISEF), May 10-15, in Reno.
In addition, two junior sweepstakes winners competed at the 58th annual California State Science Fair held May 18-19, in Los Angeles.
Harikrishna Rallapalli, an 11th grade student from Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, picked up multiple awards for his project entitled, "Fast Low-Cost Bisphenol-A (BPA) Detector." His awards included: a tuition scholarship valued at $150,000 from Drexel University; a special award of $25,000 from Agilent Technologies; and a $1,000 cash award and third place in the physics category.
Also competing at the Intel ISEF was Vicki Hsieh, a 12th grade student from San Ramon’s California High School, who will attend UC Berkeley in the fall, majoring in biochemistry.
The annual Intel ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college celebration of science. Now in its 60th year, students compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips, and the grand prize — a $50,000 college scholarship. This year’s event drew more than 1,500 students from 56 countries with more than 1,200 projects (students have the option of working in teams).
At the California State Science Fair, Carina Salcedo, an eighth-grade student from the Livermore Valley Charter School in Livermore, won third place in the applied mechanics and structures category for her project, " Feeding My Flock ."
Sumana Rallapalli, an eighth-grade student from Pleasanton Middle School, Pleasanton, won honorable mention in the materials science category for her project, " Tribo-Light AM: Continuous Triboluminescence and Radio Emission from a Safe, Portable, Low-Cost Generator ." Sumana is the sister of Harikrishna Rallapalli who competed at the Intel Fair.
In addition, Susan Johnston from the Livermore Valley Charter School in Livermore, was selected as the California State Science Fair Teacher of the Year.
The 58th annual California State Science Fair is geared for sixth- through eighth-grade students. This year, 965 students from 374 schools from throughout the state competed for awards totaling more than $50,000.
Nadine Horner, TVSEF director said: "I am very proud of all four students and am especially happy about the well-deserved recognition given to teacher Sue Johnston. Sue personifies the level of passion that our science teachers have in preparing their students for the TVSEF.
"The students that compete at the regional level are judged by the best scientists in their fields from LLNL and other science organizations in the Bay Area. When students go on to compete on a worldwide or state level they are well prepared for the challenge."
For more information about the TVSEF, go to the Web. — Linda Lucchetti
Tracy Library offers summer programs
The Tracy Branch Library will present the following adult programs this summer:
"Tax Talk 2009" – Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 p.m. H & R Block specialists will discuss the revised 2009 economic stimulus changes. They will provide brochures and answer audience questions.
"Imagine the Possibilities in Handwriting" –Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m. Local expert Mary Moyer explains what handwriting analysis reveals about you and your friends and family. Come find out what clues are hidden in loops, spaces and lines.
"Clown Around – Create Magic in Your Life" – Saturday, July 11, 2 p.m. Tracy’s world famous Ravioli appears to teach "old dogs" new tricks. He also will lead in clown capers that will be fun for adults, families and kids.
"Imagine Breaking the Rules to Break In – 10 Tips to Writing a Novel" -Saturday, Aug. 15, 3 p.m. Jeff Carlson, local Bay Area author of nanotechnology thrillers "Plague Year" and "Plague War" will present a free class on his tips for getting a novel published. He will have free handouts and offer his books for sale after the talk.
These free programs are provided through the Tracy Friends of the Library. The Tracy Branch Library is part of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library and is located at 20 E. Eaton Ave., Tracy, CA 95376. For more information, call (866) 805-7323 (READ), (209) 937-8221, or go to the Web.
