California Science Center Announces Winners of the 2000 California State Science Fair.

News Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2000

Winners of the 2000 California State Science Fair were announced among a cheering audience of students, parents and teachers during the awards ceremony held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

The fair drew more than 900 students from counties all over the state, with finalists selected by a volunteer pool of 300 scientists and engineers from private industry and higher education. The California Science Center Advisory Board, a volunteer support group of the California Science Center, coordinated the fair.

Arietta Fleming-Davies, a senior at Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista (San Diego County), was named Science Fair Student of the Year and was presented with a $1,000 award. Her project entry in the category of Plant Biology was titled "RAPD Analysis of Genetic Variation in Native Orchid Species."

Cindy Woo, a senior at Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles, was selected Science Fair Project of the Year/Senior Division and received a $500 award. Her project category was Physiology and the title of her project was "TGF-B Signaling and Mandibular Morphogenesis."

Thomas Moulia, a sixth-grader from Jacoby Creek Elementary School, located in Bayside (Humboldt County), was selected Project of the Year/Junior Division and received a $250 award. His project category was Electricity/Electronics and his project was titled "'Eye See You': Creation of a Digital Eye."

Kellie Marcarelli, a science teacher at Sacred Heart Academy in San Diego, was named Junior Division Science Fair Teacher of the Year, and Debbie Lewis, an instructor at Desert High School in Edwards (Kern County), was named Senior Division Science Fair Teacher of the Year. Each received $1,000 for their student-nominated award.

Jeffrey N. Rudolph, executive director of the California Science Center, stated: "The fair helps students learn that they can be scientists and that it can be fun and satisfying to exercise their creativity, intellect and curiosity."

The Science Center's involvement with the annual event dates back more than 40 years and is part of its mission to stimulate and nurture public interest in science, math and technology.

For more information on the California State Science Fair, visit www.casciencectr.org/CSSF. The names of the award winners are posted on this site. Reporters may also contact the Communications Department at 213/744-7446 for information on winners from their area.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The California Science Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission to the exhibits is free. For recorded information on IMAX show times, phone [phone]. For advance ticket purchases, group rates or to make free reservations for any visiting group of 15 or more (required), call 213/744-2019. Parking is available in the guest lot at Figueroa and 39th Street for $5 per car. Both the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible. For general information, phone 323/SCIENCE or visit the company's Web site at www.casciencectr.org.