AIKEN, S.C. (March 20) – The Washington Savannah River Company, University of South Carolina Aiken and The South Carolina Academy of Science recently sponsored a successful Savannah River Regional Science and Engineering Fair competition for the benefit of students from area schools.

The competition was held for schools in 20 counties located throughout the Central Savannah River Area. Over 200 students qualified for and attended the competition, which was held on Saturday, March 15, at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

“For a couple of years now, students had to attend the regional science fair in Columbia,” said Barbara Smoak, Manager, WSRC Education Outreach Program. “It’s gratifying for everyone involved that we were able to pull together a regional competition for participating students that could be held in Aiken. We had an impressive array of entrants across all three divisions.”

The Savannah River Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SEF) gives young people from the area the opportunity to explore the world of science and technology and develop their scientific investigation skills and knowledge by planning, constructing and exhibiting their own "hands-on" science projects. The projects were judged for scientific reasoning, creative ability, thoroughness, technical skill and clarity. Volunteers from the Savannah River Site, Savannah River National Laboratory and University of South Carolina Aiken acted as judges for the event.

Each year, millions of students worldwide compete in local and school-sponsored science fairs; the winners of these events go on to participate in SEF-affiliated regional and state fairs from which the best win the opportunity to attend at the international level of the Science and Engineering Fair competition. The international competition will be held May 11-17 in Atlanta, Ga.

This year’s first place winner in the High School Division, Jenny Mi, Lakeside High School, will be provided an all-expense paid trip to the international competition. Her project focused on microRNAs and their role in psoriasis susceptibility.

The SEF unites top young scientific minds, showcasing their talent on an international stage, enabling them to submit their work to judging by doctoral level scientists—and providing the opportunity to compete for nearly $4 million in prizes and scholarships.

SRS is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and operated by a team of companies led by the Washington Savannah River Company.

“Best of Show” Winning Projects for 2008
High School Division
1st Place Overall: Jenny Mi Lakeside High School
2nd Place Overall: Wood Dennis Academy of Richmond County
3rd Place Overall: Melanie B. Aldred North Augusta High School

Middle School Division
1st Place Overall: Erik Brown Saint Mary Help of Christians School
2nd Place Overall:Eric Sherburne Saint Mary Help of Christians School
3rd Place Overall: Joseph Guay Tutt Middle School

Elementary School Division
1st Place Overall: Caleb DiPrete Riverside Elementary School
2nd Place Overall: Cameron Carlton Garrett Elementary School
3rd Place Overall: Sabrina Birkett Riverside Elementary School

For a full list of winners, click here. You may need to right click and save the file.