2015 Southwest Energy Arkansas Science and Engineering Fair
Awards Ceremony Script
Dr. Mark Bland-Welcome
The 2015 Arkansas Science and Engineering Fair, sponsored by Southwest Energy, was held April 3-4, 2015, on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, AR. The awards ceremony was held Saturday, April 4th, 2015. At the awards ceremony over $15,000 in cash prizes are given away to students and over $20,000 will be spent sending the ISEF finalists to compete at the International Science Fair. This would not be possible without the sponsorship of Southwestern Energy and the Arkansas State Legislature.
Junior Academy of Sciences will present their awards first.
The American Chemical Society will present a special award to first place in biochemistry and chemistry.
Biochemistry: Miriam Hauer-Jensen
Chemistry: Mathew Lin
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture will present the AR Soybean Challenge
Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the awards given to students. However, because of the volume of awards and the time frame that the awards committee has to work with, errors -- while unlikely -- may occur. If errors in awards are discovered, appropriate adjustments will be made after the fair.
First Place Prizes: $300, Second Place Prizes: $200, Third Place Prizes: $100, Honorable Mention Winners: Certificate
HONORABLE MENTIONS: CERTIFICATES
Place / Category / First Name / Last Name / SchoolHonorable Mention / Animal Science / Bri Ellen / Millsap / Alma High School
Honorable Mention / Animal Science / Carley / Allen / Jasper
Honorable Mention / Animal Science / Abigail / Sanders / Jasper
Honorable Mention / Animal Science / Gabriel / Rooney / Lonoke High School
Honorable Mention / Animal Science / Morgan / Booth / Riverside High School
Honorable Mention / Behavioral & Social Science / Andrew / O'Neil / ASMSA
Honorable Mention / Behavioral & Social Science / Jacob / Johnson / ASMSA
Honorable Mention / Behavioral & Social Science / Lasi / McGhee / Blytheville High School
Honorable Mention / Behavioral & Social Science / Cheyenne / Brown / Blytheville High School
Honorable Mention / Biochemistry / Morgan / Lindsey / Alma
Honorable Mention / Biochemistry / Shelby / Ramsey / Alma
Honorable Mention / Biochemistry / William / Fuel / Alma
Honorable Mention / Biochemistry / Chloe / Willis / Parkview
Honorable Mention / Cellular & Molecular Biology / Alek / Bishop / Alma
Honorable Mention / Cellular & Molecular Biology / Brandon / Faddis / Alpena
Honorable Mention / Cellular & Molecular Biology / Jacinda / Gray / Alpena
Honorable Mention / Chemistry / Katelyn / Watson / ASMSA
Honorable Mention / Chemistry / Lucinda / Williams / Haas Hall Academy
Honorable Mention / Chemistry / Shibani / Lal / Lisa
Honorable Mention / Chemistry / William / Ivey / Nettleton
Honorable Mention / Computer Science / Seth / Linker / Alma
Honorable Mention / Computer Science / Yahya / Suid / Lisa
Honorable Mention / Computer Science / Kobi / White / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Computer Science / Joseph / Poe / Riverside
Honorable Mention / Earth and Planetary Science / Tyler / Kee / ASMSA
Honorable Mention / Earth and Planetary Science / Vigi / Krishna / PA
Honorable Mention / Energy and Transport / Stephanie / Atchely / Buffalo Island
Honorable Mention / Energy and Transport / Kayelin / Hathorn / Kingston
Honorable Mention / Energy and Transport / Anirudh / Pidigu / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Energy and Transport / Katie / Curry / Ridgeway Christian
Honorable Mention / Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical / Brock / Daily / Alma
Honorable Mention / Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical / Anika / Moorjani / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical / Ciana / Casey / Lonoke
Honorable Mention / Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering / Ethan / Block / Alpena
Honorable Mention / Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering / Mohammed / Mohamed Asif / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Environmental Management / Jacob / Frisbie / Bergman
Honorable Mention / Environmental Management / Brent / Lawrence / Bergman
Honorable Mention / Environmental Sciences / Leslie / O'Neal / Alma
Honorable Mention / Environmental Sciences / Alec / Hester / Blytheville
Honorable Mention / Environmental Sciences / Katharine / Edwards / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Environmental Sciences / Jasmine / Rowland / Ridgeway Christian
Honorable Mention / Mathematics / Alex / Harris / ASMSA
Honorable Mention / Mathematics / Stephanie / Zhao / Pulaski Academy
Honorable Mention / Medicine & Health / Taylor / Hall / Alma
Honorable Mention / Medicine & Health / Sophie / Thomasson / Alma
Honorable Mention / Medicine & Health / Colton / Waters / Alpena
Honorable Mention / Medicine & Health / Brad / Bailey / Alpena
Honorable Mention / Microbiology / Alexis / Martin / Alma
Honorable Mention / Microbiology / Rachel / Ray / Alma
Honorable Mention / Microbiology / Sahar / Tariq / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Physics & Astronomy / Jonet / Washington / Blytheville
Honorable Mention / Physics & Astronomy / Elizabeth / Resh / Fayetteville Christian High School
Honorable Mention / Physics & Astronomy / Naveed / Khimani / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Physics & Astronomy / Shaveen / Patel / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Physics & Astronomy / Joy / Byrd / Ridgeway Christian
Honorable Mention / Plant Sciences / Blake / Yates / Alma
Honorable Mention / Plant Sciences / Ishrar / Islam / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Plant Sciences / Nivetha / Srinivasan / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Plant Sciences / Ragul / Manoharan / Little Rock Central High School
Honorable Mention / Plant Sciences / Allison / Carpenter / Ridgeway Christian
THIRD PLACE WINNERS: $100
Place / Category / First Name / Last Name / School3rd Place / Animal Science / Bethany / Young / Alpena High School
3rd Place / Behavioral & Social Science / Katherine / Parham / ASMSA
3rd Place / Biochemistry / David / Xiang / Little Rock Central High School
3rd Place / Cellular & Molecular Biology / Frank / Griffin / Alma
3rd Place / Chemistry / Rocklan / McCall / Riverside
3rd Place / Computer Science / Joseph / Sartini / Bryant High School
3rd Place / Earth and Planetary Science / Rachel / Dawson / ASMSA
3rd Place / Energy and Transport / Jay / Nair / Pulaski Academy
3rd Place / Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical / Dhruba / Dasgupta / Little Rock Central High School
3rd Place / Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering / Christina / Choh / ASMSA
3rd Place / Environmental Management / Ashlynn / Arriaza / Providence Academy
3rd Place / Environmental Sciences / Chassity / Parker / Nettleton
3rd Place / Mathematics / Leck / Tang / Little Rock Central High School
3rd Place / Medicine & Health / Phillip / Crook / Alma
3rd Place / Microbiology / Safi / Alsebai / Little Rock Central High School
3rd Place / Physics & Astronomy / Elizabeth / Spicer / Haas Hall Academy
3rd Place / Plant Sciences / Evan / Buckner / Pine Bluff High School
SECOND PLACE: $200
Place / Category / First Name / Last Name / School2nd Place / Animal Science / Enoch / Park / Pulaski Academy
2nd Place / Animal Science / Grace / Park / Pulaski Academy
2nd Place / Behavioral & Social Science / A'vonte / Jones / Parkview High School
2nd Place / Biochemistry / Akhil / Maddukuri / Pulaski Academy
2nd Place / Cellular & Molecular Biology / Jessica / Campbell / ASMSA
2nd Place / Chemistry / Joy / Trice / Little Rock Central High School
2nd Place / Computer Science / Derrick / Dowdy / Alma
2nd Place / Earth and Planetary Science / Liz / Lawrence / Ridgeway Christian
2nd Place / Energy and Transport / Amber / Weller / Alpena
2nd Place / Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical / Nikoo / Karbassi / Little Rock Central High School
2nd Place / Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering / Tyler / Cothern / ASMSA
2nd Place / Environmental Management / Sophia / Ly / ASMSA
2nd Place / Environmental Sciences / Olivia / Lynch / Alpena
2nd Place / Mathematics / Austin / Himschoot / ASMSA
2nd Place / Medicine & Health / Sarthak / Garg / Little Rock Central High School
2nd Place / Microbiology / Jason / Fulbright / ASMSA
2nd Place / Physics & Astronomy / Sanjit / Kalapatu / Pulaski Academy
2nd Place / Plant Sciences / Jacob / Anderson / Pulaski Academy
FIRST PLACE WINNERS: $300
Place / Category / First Name / Last Name / School1st Place / Animal Science / Carter / Cole / Pulaski Academy
1st Place / Behavioral & Social Science / Jacquelyn / Mosely / ASMSA
1st Place / Biochemistry / Miriam / Hauer-Jensen / Little Rock Central High School
1st Place / Cellular & Molecular Biology / Angela / Wang / Little Rock Central High School
1st Place / Chemistry / Matthew / Lin / Stuttgart
1st Place / Computer Science / Joseph / Zhang / ASMSA
1st Place / Earth and Planetary Science / Taylor / Hensley / Alpena
1st Place / Energy and Transport / Anna / Albers / Alma
1st Place / Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical / Qingyang (David) / Zhang / ASMSA
1st Place / Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering / Nimit / Gandhi / Little Rock Central High School
1st Place / Environmental Management / Taryn / Imamura / ASMSA
1st Place / Environmental Sciences / Mariny / Phomakay / Alma
1st Place / Mathematics / Kwuang / Tang / Little Rock Central High School
1st Place / Medicine & Health / Mara / Campbell / ASMSA
1st Place / Microbiology / Mason / Bennett / Providence Academy
1st Place / Physics & Astronomy / Jiya / Janowitz / ASMSA
1st Place / Plant Sciences / Haya / Safar / Pulaski Academy
Special Awards
Award / Description / Name / SchoolT-shirt design winner / $100 and certificate and their design featured on T-shirts / Nivetha Srinivasan / Little Rock Central High School
American Clinical Chemistry Association / Best project in clinical chemistry / Miriam Hauer-Jensen / Little Rock Central High School
Arkansas Environmental Education Association / Outstanding Environmental Science Project-Certificate / HM - Jacob Anderson Winner - Jacob Frilbie & Brent Lawrence / HM - Pulaski Academy Winner - Bergman High School
Arkansas Soybean Challenge / Best project related to soybean research. $500 prize! / Taylor Hensley / Alpena High School
Acxiom Award / Project that best utilizes Computer Science. First place gets $75 and second place $25 / HM1 - Caleb Fritz HM2 - Zoe Johnson 2nd - Joseph Sartini 1st - Joseph Zhang / HM1 -Alma High School HM2 - Little Rock Central High 2nd - Bryant High School 1st - ASMSA
American Fisheries Society-Arkansas chapter / Best Aquatic Science Award. First place gets a plaque. Teacher of the winner gets a plaque as well. HM get certificates. / HM1- Gabriel Rooney HM2 - Olivia Lynch HM3 - Jacob Anderson 1st - Katharine Edwards / HM1 - Lonke High School HM2 - Alpena High School HM3 - Pulaski Academy 1st - Little Rock Central High School
American Meteorological Society / Best Project related to meteorology. First place gets a certificate. / Matt Cole / Little Rock Central High School
American Psychological Association / Outstanding project related to behavioral science / Jacquelyn Mosely / ASMSA
Arizona State University Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives / Project related to sustainability / Mariny Phomakay / Alma High School
Arkansas Computer Science Teachers Association Award / Top computer science project. $75 for first place and $50 for second / 2nd) Derrick Dowdy
1st) Joseph Zhang / 2nd) Alma High School 1st) ASMSA
Arkansas Environmental Federation / For excellent projects encouraging sustainability
$100 to first place student, $50 to second place student, $175 to each of their teachers, and $100 for the Fair Director / 2nd) Mariny Phomakay
1st) Taryn Imamura / 2nd) Alma
1st) ASMSA
Arkansas Natural Heritage commission / Project related to preserving AR's natural heritage. Winners each get a gift bag and $50 / 1) Jacob Anderson,
2) Britany Nall,
3) Katharine Edwards / 1) Pulaski Academy, 2) ASMSA 3)Little Rock Central High School
Arkansas Energy Office of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Best Energy Related Project / Best Energy Related Project / Anna Albers / Alma High School
Arkansas Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience / Best Neuroscience related project. Certificate and $100 / HM1) Rebecca Parham HM2) Katie Jones HM3) Cheyenne Brown 1st) Katherine Parham / HM1) Alma HM2) Vilonia HM3) Blytheville 1st) ASMSA
Arkansas Chapter of the Wildlife Society / Best project related to wildlife or wildlife conservation. Certificate. / Enoch Park
Grace Park / Pulaski Academy
Arkansas STEM Coalition / Most Outstanding Project Related to Aerospace Engineering / Joseph Zhang / ASMSA
ASM International foundation / Best project related to materials science. Certificate / Hanya Qureshi / Pulaski Academy
Association for Women Geoscientists / Best project related to geoscience done by a female student. Certificate. / Nila Ray / ASMSA
Genius Olympiad / Project that displays excellent work on environment. Certificate.APPLY BY TODAY!!! / 1) Taryn Imamura 2) Mariny Phomakay / 1) ASMSA 2) Alma High School
Griffin Award, Given by UCA / Creativity in research in the life sciences. Winner gets their name on a plaque that hands in the science education lab at UCA and a certificate and $150. $50 to the student's teacher. / Jason Fulbright / Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts
Intel Excellence in Computer Science / 1st place project in computer science. Certificate and a monetary award mailed by INTEL / Joseph Zhang / ASMSA
Mu Alpha Theta / Most Outstanding Project in Mathematics / Kwuang Tang / Little Rock Central High School
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / Most outstanding project related to NOAA's goals. Certificate and medal. / 1) Elizabeth Resh
2) Chase Middleton / 1) Fayetteville Christian School 2) Alma High School
Office of Naval Research / 1) Jiya Janowitz
2) Joseph Zhang
3) Nimit Gandhi
4) Mariny Phomakay
5) Angela Wang
6) Mara Campbell / 1) ASMSA
2) ASMSA
3) LRCHS
4) Alma High School
5) LRCHS
6) ASMSA
Ricoh corporation for environmental sustainable technologies / project that most supports environmentally sustainable development. Certificate. / Taryn Imamura / ASMSA
Sigma Xi / Joseph Zhang / ASMSA
Society for In Vitro Biology / Outstanding achievement, ability, and creativity in In Vitro Biology. Certificate. / Angela Wang / Little Rock Central High School
Society of Toxicology / Excellent project dealing with toxicology. Certificate. / 1) Shruti Shah
2) Alexis Baker
3) Sophia Ly / 1) Little Rock Central High School 2) Alpena High School 3) ASMSA
Stockholm Jr. Water Prize sponsored by the Water Environment Foundation / Outstanding water related project. Certificate, invitation to apply to compete in international competition. / 1) Caleb Hickman
2) Ashlynn Arriaza
3) Sophia Ly / 1)Ridgway Christian High School, 2) Providence Academy,
3) ASMSA
UCA Physics Department / Outstanding Project utilizing Physics / Sanjit Kalaptapu / Pulaski Academy
US Metric Association / Best use of the international system of units. Certificate. / Jake Bolding & Tanner Wilkins / Alma High School
Yale Science and Engineering Award / Outstanding 11th grade project in chemistry, computer science, engineering, or physics. Certificate. / Matthew Lin / Stuttgart High School
US Geological Survey / Best Geology Related Project / Liz Lawrence / Ridgway Christian High School
US Public Heath Services / Surgeon General's certificate of appreciation / Sarthak Garg / Little Rock Central High School
US Air Force / Backpack and certificate / 1) Kwuang Tang
2) Anna Albers
3) Matthew Lin
4) Taryn Imamura / 1) LRCHS
2) Alma High School
3) Stuttgart High School
4) ASMSA
Southwestern Energy Teacher Appreciation Award, awarded to a (up-and-coming)/new supporter of State Science Fair $100— Rebekah DiGiamoco
Previous awardees for SWN Teacher Appreciation Award:
2014: Roger Rose & David Good, Alpena High School
2013: Dierdre Young
Dennis Thurman Teacher Appreciation Award, awarded to a senior teacher who has been a long supporter of State Science Fair $100— Melissa Donham
Previous awardees for Dennis Thurman Teacher Appreciation Award:
2014: Bill Rosser, Fayetteville High School
ROBERT T. KIRKWOOD & JUDITH BEAN MEMORIAL AWARD- Awarded to an individual whose service is invaluable to the Arkansas Science and Engineering Fair.
Award: Plaque and $100 check
Winner: Prof. Steve Karafit
Previous awardees for Kirkwood/Bean:
2014: Patrick Foley, Little Rock Central High School
2013: Jerry Mimms, UCA
2012: Jillian Arbogast, UCA
2011: Kristie Hicks, UCA
2010: Bob Wolfe, Alma High School
2009: Mark Welch, Alpena
2008: Jack Gaiser, UCA
2007: Rosemary Blassingame, Alma Middle School
2006: Mike Rapp, UCA
2005: Scott Ausbrooks, Harmony Grove
2004: Vicky Reid, UCA Phys Dept and
Darnelle Ausbrooks, White Hall High
2003: Melissa Donham, Little Rock Central High
2002: Jane Meadows, Hall High School
2001: Janet Jackson, Sheridan, AR
2000: Richard Gill, Whitehall H.S.
1999: Dennis Thurman, Drew Central H.S.
1998: Dennis Miller, Camden-Fairview H.S.
1997: Pat Bradley, Veterinarian
1996: Margie Snider, NLR - East H.S.
1995: Amy Wilson, Ark. Environmental Fed.
1994: Mary Frances Harper, Lakeside H.S.
1993: Kathy Lister, NLR - East H.S.
1992: Fred Dalske, UCA Dept. of Biology
1991: Paul Krause, UCA Dept. of Chemistry
RECOGNITION OF REGIONAL ISEF FINALISTS
Students are to come forward and remain near the front as the remaining ISEF State Finalists & "Best in State" winners are announced. These students will be attending the week-long Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 10-15, 2015 . These ISEF finalists will receive trading pins and an Arkansas Science Fair T-shirt.
Cent. Region (University of Arkansas at Little Rock), Keith Harris, Director
Individual Finalists: Hanya Quereshi -- Pulaski Academy
Shruti Shah -- Little Rock Central High School
Devyani Shekhawat, Dana Abulez, Rachana Kombathula -- Little Rock Central High
North East Region (Jonesboro - Ark. State Univ.), Dr. Tillman Kennon, Director
Individual finalists: Amelia Singh -- Nettleton Junior High
Austin Bassham -- Salem High School
Darrin McFall -- Buffalo Island Central High
North West Region (Fayetteville - Univ. of Arkansas), Lynne Hehr, Director
Individual Finalists: Cole Balkman, Alma High School
Brandon Criner, Alpena High School
Caleb Fritz, Alma High School
South East Region (Univ. of Ark. at Monticello), Jeff Taylor, Director
Individual Finalists: Kayla Earnest --Glen Rose High School
West Central Region (Hot Springs - ASMS), Dr. Brian Monson, Director
Individual Finalists: Ashley Barto -- ASMSA --Hope, AR
Deisy Abarca Espiritu --ASMSA -- Hope
Nila Ray -- ASMSA -- Pine Bluff
INDIVIDUAL ISEF FINALISTS CHOSEN FROM STATE SCIENCE FAIR CATEGORY WINNERS
(award covers the cost of registration, meals, housing, and transportation for the 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place, 5th place overall winners to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair, to be held in Pittsburg, PA May 10-14. The costs of accompanying adults will also be covered. These awards are sponsored by Southwestern Energy and the Arkansas Environmental Federation.)
5th Place Winner $100: Jacquelyn Mosely from ASMSA
4th Place Winner $200: Angela Wang from Little Rock Central High School
3rd Place Winner $300: Kwuang Tang from Little Rock Central High School
2nd Place Winner $400: Nimit Gandhi from Little Rock Central High School