Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fairwinners selected
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Brigitte Eder, a tenth grade student from Granada High School in Livermore, won several awards, including those from the IEEE, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the International Society of Optical Engineering, for her project, "Equine Biomechanics of Show Jumping."
Nearly 300 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 the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Judging took place on Wednesday, March 28, 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 230 project entries. The majority of judges represented the Livermore Laboratory. A total of 216 special and project awards were presented. 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: Richard Li, an 11th grade student from Monte Vista High School in Danville for "A Novel Approach to Rapid Diagnosis of Cancer"; and Yuyang John Mei, an 11th grade student from Monte Vista High School for "A Novel Pathway for PTEN Chemo Sensitization."
Winners in the Junior Division are: Nitya Furtado, an eighth grade student from Pine Valley Middle School in San Ramon for "Magnetic Magic!" and Alison Burklund, an eighth grade student from Valley Montessori School in Livermore for "Hazardous Waste: What Soil Fits Its Taste?"
Senior Division Sweepstakes winners will go on to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, May 13-19, in Albuquerque, N.M. Junior Division winners are eligible to compete at the State Science Fair.
In addition to the Laboratory, a key sponsor of the fair and supporter for 11 years since the fair’s inception is the Tri-Valley Business Council. Additional supporters for 2007 include: Galaxy Press; Kaiser Permanente; Pacific Gas and Electric; Sandia National Laboratories; The Valley Times; Tri-Valley Community Foundation; Uncle Credit Union; Applied Biosystems Corporation; Foresters of America; Court of Livermore #77; Sybase; Topcon Positioning Systems; ValleyCare Health System; AT&T; Berlogar Geotechnical Consultants; Leisure Sports, Inc.; San Ramon Regional Medical Center; Union Bank/Tanner Insurance Brokers; Valent USA Corporation; Black Tie Transportation; M. Weldon Moreland, CPA; Signature Properties; 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, Friday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 31, 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 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.
Laboratory news releases and photos are also available at http://www.llnl.gov/PAO and on UC Newswire.
