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Local high school seniors receive Edward Teller science scholarships (2006)

Two Livermore high school girls have won the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Edward Teller Science Scholarship. This year’s award recipients are Megan Connolly of Granada High School and Mina Bionta of Livermore High School.  

The awards, instituted in 2004 in honor of the late Dr. Teller, renowned physicist and Lab co-founder, are given by the Laboratory to graduating seniors who excel in science studies. Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship and is eligible for an internship at the Lab when she completes her first year of college.

Both students have successfully participated in a wide range of science activities and events over the years. Connolly attended summer science camps, participated in the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program’s "Making Electives Count for Career Advancement" (MECCA) program to expand her knowledge of math and science, and has volunteered more than 1,300 hours at a marine mammal rehabilitation hospital. At the annual Lab-sponsored Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair (TVSEF), her project won first place in the Environmental Science Division. Connolly plans to attend UC Santa Cruz and pursue a career in marine mammal medicine.

"Megan’s fascination for all fields of science has earned her the distinction of being Granada High School’s 2006 recipient of the Edward Teller Science Scholarship," said Kelly Bowers, director of Curriculum and Special Projects, Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District.

Bionta has successfully competed in regional science fairs since the 7th grade with projects in biology, chemistry, computer science, space science and physics. She was a Sweepstakes winner in the TVSEF in both 2005 and 2006, earning her many awards. This year, she was selected as a finalist at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Bionta will attend Stanford University and major in physics.

"Science is Mina’s life passion, so it is fitting that she is Livermore High School’s 2006 recipient of the Edward Teller Science Scholarship," Bowers said.

The awards were scheduled to be presented to the students by Lab managers at their high school graduation ceremonies in Livermore on May 31.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission to ensure national security and to apply science and technology to the important issues of our time.  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.