'95 SCIENCE FAIR VICTOR AGAIN SEEKS WIN.

Byline: VICTORIA GIRAUD

THOUSAND OAKS - Logan Kay has extra incentive for becoming a repeat winner at the Ventura County Science Fair in April.

If he wins, the Colina Middle School seventh-grader and fair winner in the physics category for sixth-graders in 1995 will find the design of his prize-winning poster advertising the fair incorporated into his trophy.

Out of 44 entries submitted last fall by Ventura County science students from sixth to 12th grade for a poster contest, Logan's was chosen to represent the 1996 Science Fair. The design, featuring graphics gleaned from the Internet and a crossword motif, will be used on all the literature and publicity for the fair.

"I was doing the TV crossword in the TV Guide, when one of my friends called to ask what was my idea. I didn't know," Logan recalled about his creative process. "I looked at the crossword again, and said, 'wait a second.' "

In his room, he cut up graph paper where he had written down the various science fair categories - botany, chemistry, Earth sciences, microbiology, physics, etc. - and arranged them to intertwine around a sheet of paper. In between the crossword categories, he inserted graphics depicting those sciences, and a theme phrase. "The Amazing Wonders of Science."

"I worked a couple of hours, then I went to the computer," Logan remembered. "I grew up with computers, but my dad showed me how to get information from the Internet."

Logan got some of his pictures from Claris Works, but he had to surf the Internet for others. He found a historic clip art picture of an old man with a telescope at Yale University.

An energetic young man, Logan is planning his science experiment for the fair. He proudly displays the trophy he won in 1995 and points to where his poster design would be should he win a trophy this year.

Logan's science project last year dealt with water-boiling experiments, including factors that determine how fast water boils. This year's project will probably take those tests a bit further and experiment with adding ingredients to heated water such as sugar or salt, and testing the results.

Ellen Kay laughingly interjects her opinion of her son's choice of water boiling experiments. All three of her sons run cross country. "I'm always boiling water, always making pasta for their carbs," his mother says.

Logan's interest in water and liquid experiments goes back to his younger years. He did a demonstration on testing pool water one year, and another year he and a friend made a simulated volcano.

"We made a volcano out of baking soda and vinegar. It exploded and got all over the teacher," Logan laughed. He and his friend had reacted quickly; they ducked under a table. Despite the mishap, the teacher liked the demonstration and gave the boys an A.

Cross-country and track are favorite interests for Logan. He went to the cross-country nationals in 1993 and is in his fifth year running track. "I like everything but high jump and long jump."

Computers are an abiding interest. He loves strategy games like Doom and simulator racing games. Other interests include model building, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, pool, tennis, bowling and football.

Since his father, David Kay, is Professor of Computer Information Systems and Mathematics at Moorpark College, Logan comes by his scientific curiosity naturally. His father has encouraged him to pursue education and told him that the education biz is great.

When asked what he might do in the future, Logan is contemplative. "Teach. Educate people," he answers shyly.