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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 06 March 2008 SUBJECT: Young Scientists Showcase Their Findings at The Good Hope School's Intel Affiliated Science Fair
Young scientists and inventors from grades six through twelve showcased their research projects, experiments and inventions at The Good Hope School Science Fair this week, beginning on Tuesday. The Fair remains open to public, with complimentary admission, through Thursday, March 6, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the school's campus center. More than 100 students competed for awards including cash prizes and technology accessories. Winners in the Upper School level also competed for the opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands at the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest pre-college science competition. Today, scientist and other local experts attended the Fair for project judging. Experts included: physician, Dr. Charles Braslow; U.V.I; ecologist Olasee Davis ; Hovensa LLC, Vice President of Technology Steve Beamer; Jacqueline Kowalski from the Department of Agriculture; Kemit-Amon Lewis from Coastal Zone Management; Mr. David Walworth, Naval Engineer; and Emily Tyner from VI Marine Advisory Services. Special judges included Dee Ozinski from VIWMA, Dick Smullen from HOVENSA's Environmental Department, Donald Nelthropp, Sr, retired VIRIL engineer, and David Zumwalt, Director of UVI's technology park. Research projects include several that looked at alternative energy sources for St. Croix , and many Behavioral Science projects. "The students are inspired by what they see as real world problems," said Jane Coles, Good Hope's Science Fair Coordinator. Relevant projects were spurred by issues such as increases in WAPA rates and talk of global warming, students sought to find alternatives which are cheaper and cleaner than burning fossil fuels. One popular project was done by Senior, Leah Guthrie. She worked in a laboratory over the summer and found a chemical treatment that can stop viruses from entering cells. "There are a lot of diseases that are caused by viruses, such as HIV/AIDS and the common cold," said Guthrie. "If we can figure out how to keep the viruses from entering the cells, fewer people would get sick." "The Good Hope School 's Mission includes a commitment to the success of each child, providing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that guides a student's ability to think critically, creatively, independently, and globally. That's what Science Fair is all about," said Coles. "Each student chooses a project in their area of interest, and they work individually to their full potential. The projects can be carried as far as the students want them to go. They are never done. At the end of each experiment, there are more questions that remain to be answered. Some students do multiple stages in one year." Another benefit of the Science Fair is the encouragement students receive to reach out to the community to extend their projects. The Winners in the Upper School announced today by the judges are: First Place, Leah Guthrie '08, with her project entitled Do Not Enter; Second Place, awarded to Ashlee Douglas '10 with Motion of the Ocean; and Lauren Lewis '09 in Third Place with Coco Loco. Upper School Honorable Mentions were given to Carlos Matos '11, with a project entitled Eggspiriment; Victoria Holmes '10 and TanTan in Compost; and Kristian Fennessy '10 with Got Protein? Middle School Winners are Gabriela Canales with First Place and Sea Water vs. Manmade Fertilizer; First Place was given to Sixth Grade project Mold in Motion by
Stephanie Acevedo, Nathalie Taylor, and Deidra Matthew; Second Place, Jaleel Christopher and The Best Type of Kite to Fly; and Third Place, Gloria Morales with Hey, Mr. Plankton, Where did you go? Middle School Honorable Mentions went to Eighth Graders, Henry Mark, Celine Subnaik, and Khyra Thomas with their various projects. The winners for several special awards will be announced at an award ceremony to be held on Tuesday, March 11, at 1:50 p.m. at The Good Hope School. The top two winners will go on to compete in the 2008 Intel ISEF, May 10-15 in Atlanta, Georgia, where more than 1,300 students from around the world compete for $3 million in scholarships and prizes. ###
First Place winner, Senior, Leah Guthrie, presents cell research project to judges Dr. Charlie Braslow; Hovensa LLC's, Vice President of Technology, Steve Beamer; Jacqueline Kowalski from the Department of Agriculture; and Kemit-Amon Lewis from Coastal Zone Management.
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