PHYSICIST IN TRAINING CALIFORNIA SCIENCE FAIR NAMES ITS TOP STUDENT.Byline: Daily News EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. - Desert High School senior Derek Mohr was named California State Science Fair Student of the Year at the 2002 California State Science Fair held May 20 and 21 in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . Fair organizers said Mohr best exemplified the qualities necessary for success in science. He also was the senior engineer physicist winner of the Silicon Boule boule Deliberative council in the city-states of ancient Greece. It existed in almost all constitutional city-states, especially from the late 6th century BC. In Athens the boule was created as an aristocratic body by Solon in 594 BC; later, under Cleisthenes, 500 members Award, which acknowledges distinctive performance in the physical sciences. Mohr won $1,000 for the student of the year award and $500 for the Silicon Boule Award. ``I am thrilled and surprised to get both these honors,'' said Mohr. ``Although it was something I was inspired to do, I am still blown away by the experience.'' Mohr and classmate Deborah Berg, also a senior, earned two of the three top finalist slots, beating out approximately 150 other seniors. This was the first time any Desert High student has placed in the top three. ``We are so proud of these students,'' said Desert High science teacher Debbie Lewis. ``Derek has always been extremely passionate about the science fair - working 'most year round toward the next competition. I am glad his dedication has paid off. Deborah has always been an outstanding math and science student.'' Mohr's project entry, in the category of physics and astronomy, was titled ``The hot zone: achieving virus incubation conditions with phase change materials using thermoelectric ther·mo·e·lec·tric also ther·mo·e·lec·tri·cal adj. Characteristic of, resulting from, or using electrical phenomena occurring in conjunction with a flow of heat. heat pumps.'' Mohr said he has felt it was important to do science projects that would help humanity. The heat pumps he developed can replace the large outdated incubators still used in developing nations. ``Can people choose truly random numbers?'' was the title of Berg's math category project entry. After doing a complex mathematical study, Berg concluded that people were unable to choose truly random numbers. Science fair student-of-the-year applicants were judged not only on their science projects, but also on academic achievements, ability to communicate, community service experience, extracurricular activities and other interests and hobbies. Semifinalists were narrowed down through interviews. Both Mohr and Berg have participated in their schools' annual science fair since grade school. Mohr is president of Desert High's National Honor Society The National Honor Society (NHS), established in 1921, is a recognition program for American high school students who show achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. chapter. Berg is one of the class's valedictorians. As an Eagle Scout Ea·gle Scout n. One who has achieved the highest rank in the Boy Scouts. Noun 1. Eagle Scout - a Boy Scout who has earned many merit badges Boy Scout - a boy who is a member of the Boy Scouts , Mohr refurbished a local school's deteriorating playground. Berg spends a lot of her free time tutoring other students. Mohr hopes to continue his science career at Westmont College Coordinates:  This article or section is written like an .Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view. in Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. . Berg hopes to be a teacher someday and will study science and math at Harvey Mudd College Harvey Mudd College: see Claremont Colleges. in Claremont. More than a dozen students represented Desert High at this year's state science fair. Cora Peeler and Sarah SanNicolas, both juniors, won honorable mention in the mammalian biology category for their "How high can guys fly?" science project. Both are volleyball players, and they wanted to examine the flexibility of the Achilles tendon Achilles tendon n. The large tendon connecting the heel bone to the calf muscle of the leg. Also called calcanean tendon, heel tendon. , and the height, length and width of arch effects on how high male athletes can jump. There were 956 participants, from more than 300 schools in the state, presenting projects in competition for $50,000 in awards. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Desert High senior Derek Mohr is the state's science fair student of the year for 2002; fellow senior Deborah Berg was a finalist. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion