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Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair winners selected (2008)

Some 245 local students in grades 7 through 12 from Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon competed for cash and other prizes at the 11th annual Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair (TVSEF), hosted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Judging took place on Wednesday, March 5, at the Robert Livermore Community Center in Livermore, with awards distributed during a ceremony there that evening.

More than 100 local scientists, engineers and science teachers served as fair judges, deliberating over this year's 190 project entries. The majority of judges represented the Livermore Laboratory.  Science projects were judged on a wide range of criteria that represent standards of research held by the scientific community.

Sweepstakes winners in the Senior Division are: Harikrishna Rallapalli, a 10th grade student from Amador Valley High School, for his project, "Low-Cost Total Internal Reflection Microscopy," and Dmitry Kislyuk, a 12th grade student from California High School, for his project, "Modeling Evolution:  Exploring Computational Biology and Biomodeling."

Winners in the Junior Division are: Kevin Johnston, an eighth grade student from Livermore Valley Charter School, for his project, "Suburban Skyglow: Using Astrophotography to Analyze Light Pollution," and Uzair Mohammad, also an eighth grade student from Livermore Valley Charter School, for his project, "Generation Nation."

Senior Division Sweepstakes winners will go on to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, May 11-17, in Atlanta. Junior Division winners are eligible to compete at the State Science Fair.

Additional supporters for 2008 include: Galaxy Press; Kaiser Permanente; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Sandia National Laboratories; The Valley Times; Tri-Valley Business Council; Tri-Valley Community Foundation; Uncle Credit Union; Applied Biosystems Corporation; Topcon Positioning Systems; ValleyCare Health System; AT&T; Leisure Sports, Inc.; San Ramon Regional Medical Center; Union Bank/Tanner Insurance Brokers; Valent USA Corporation; Black Tie Transportation; M. Weldon Moreland, CPA; and Wente Vineyards.

Research categories for fair projects covered a wide spectrum of science such as behavioral and bioscience, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space science, engineering, environmental science, gerontology, mathematics, medicine and health, microbiology, physics and zoology.

The goals of the annual fair are to motivate students to apply creativity and critical thought to the solution of science, engineering and math problems; to encourage the exchange of knowledge and ideas; and to recognize student achievement.

The fair is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest pre-college celebration of science. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together more than 1,400 students from more than 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips, and the grand prize: a $50,000 college scholarship. 

The public may view the exhibition of student projects at the Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore, Thursday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no charge for admission.

For more information about this year’s Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair, go to the web at http://tvsef.llnl.gov/ .

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

March 6, 2008

Contact

Linda Lucchetti
[email protected]
925-422-5815

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Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair