Awards Ceremony Set for April 16
Sarasota, Florida – The finest young scientific minds in Sarasota County will be honored with prizes, scholarships, cash awards and – for two gifted high school seniors – a chance to shine in international competition as the 2009 Regional Science, Engineering and Technology Fair comes to a close with its annual awards on Thursday, April 16.
The ceremony begins at the School Board auditorium, 1980 Landings Boulevard, with Elementary presentations (grades K-5) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Middle and high school presentations (grades 6-12) will take place from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Students from kindergarten through twelfth grade will be named winners in twelve categories of research. Special awards for outstanding projects will be presented to students of all ages. Two students will go on to represent Sarasota County at the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair next month.
LIST OF WINNERS BY CATEGORY
LIST OF SPECIAL AWARDS BY SCHOOL
Sarasota County Schools collaborates with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and the Sarasota County Fair Association to present the fair each year. Hundreds of Sarasota County public school, private school, and home-schooled student participate by completing research studies using the scientific method or technology projects using the engineering method. First-place projects are displayed during the Sarasota County Fair every spring.
Sarasota High School seniors Jonathan Flood and Daniel Mullins will represent the county at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Reno, Nevada from May 10 to 15, 2009. All expenses for their trip are paid for by the Education Foundation.
The Intel ISEF has been called the “Olympics, the World Cup, and the World Series of science competitions.” Now in its 59th year, the Intel ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition and the only science project competition for students in grades 9-12. The Intel ISEF brings together students, teachers, corporate executives, and government officials from around the world. This year, more than 1500 students from 50 countries will compete in Reno for over $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment, and scientific trips.
Susan Puchalla, Sarasota County Schools’ K-12 Science and Health Specialist, has directed the fair for the past nine years. The Education Foundation underwrites the regional fair, the county’s participation in the Intel competition, and numerous cash awards through the generosity of community sponsors.
The Omar Cooper Student Achievement Award, carrying a $2,000 prize and a year-long mentorship, will be presented to Riverview High School junior Nicholas LaMacchia for his engineering project, “Let-tuce-grow.”
This year’s Dart Foundation Award, carrying a $500 prize, will be presented to Sarasota High senior Jonathan Flood for his biochemistry project, “Process Optimization of Oil Extraction from Tetraselmis Algae for Efficient Use as Biodiesel Fuel.”
The Einstein Sponsor of the Sarasota Regional Science, Engineering and Technology Fair is the Dart Foundation. The Carver Sponsor is Florida Power & Light. The Sagan Sponsor is SAMA/Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturing Association.