Science Fair Winners Announced

SOCORRO, N.M., April 15, 2000 -- Top winners were announced in the 48th annual New Mexico Science and Engineering Fair. Of the189 projects by 212 participants in the Senior Division (grades 9 - 12), four winning projects and two alternates were chosen to proceed to the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Detroit, Mich., on May 6 - 13.

In addition, two projects in the Junior Division (grades 6 - 9) were chosen as Grand Award winners, out of 295 projects by 317 participants. Over $100,000 in prizes and scholarships were distributed to the many participants in both divisions.

Science teacher Michelle Garcia of Taos Middle School was named Junior Division "Sponsor of the Year" and her school was Junior Division "School of the Year." Senior Division "School of the Year" was St. Pius X of Albuquerque, and "Sponsor of the Year" was Steve Goodgame from Deming High School.

SENIOR DIVISON AWARD WINNERS:

Allison Gattis, Farmington High School. Project name: "A Study of Alzheimer's in Gallus domesticus following Exposure to Aluminum"
Jenna M. Lanoff, Taos High School. Project name: "Pseudo Pythagorean Triples"
Daniel A. Perley, Socorro High School. Project name: "Dynamics of the Formation of Tidal Structure in Interacting Galaxies."
Nathan Tooker, Los Lunas High School. Project name: A River Runs through It: A Study of the Riparian Ecosystem along the Rio Grande Bosque, Phase II"

SENIOR DIVISION ALTERNATES:

Ellyn A. Easley, Alamogordo High School. Project name: "The Effects of Cryoprotectants on the Revivification of Frozen Crickets"
James D. Sedillo, St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque. Project name: "Automatic A-V Router"

JUNIOR DIVISION GRAND AWARD WINNERS:

Julia Byrd, Desert Ridge Middle School in Albuquerque. Project name: "Sir Isaac Newton and the Art of Ballet"
Paige A. Schmidt, Hofacket Mid High School in Deming. Project name: "Fuel for Thought"

The Albuquerque Journal is the corporate sponsor who sends the four Senior Division Grand Award winners to International Science Fair. Intel Corp. and PNM sponsor the trip for the two senior alternates. Grand Award winners in the Junior Division each received a graphing calculator from Braun Co. /Radio Shack of Socorro.

Students qualified to compete at the state level by placing in one of six previously held regional science and engineering fairs. New Mexico Tech has been hosting the New Mexico Science and Engineering Fair since the fair's inception in 1953.

Also see Science Fair