Winners were announced recently in the 2014 Regional Science & Engineering Fair at West Liberty University, sponsored by the J. B. Chambers Foundation and the Wheeling Civitan Club. The fair took place March 7 – 8, 2014.
- Senior Division, Miriam Demasi, Engineering, Wheeling Park High School
- Junior Division Grand Prize Winner, Daniel O’Leary, Botany, St. Michael’s Parish School
- Junior Division Runner Up, Daisy Reasbeck, Medicine and Health, St. Vincent De Paul Parish School
Participants competed for category awards, special awards and an opportunity to go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of the Society for Science and the Public held annually in various cities.
WLU’s Senior Division Grand Prize winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to the Intel Fair where they will compete for $1.4 million in scholarships and cash prizes.
Demassi received this prize and will compete in Los Angeles, California, May 11-16, 2014. Her project dealt with engineering science and was entitled, “Testing if Fly Ash and Lime Can Improve Papercrete.”
The Junior Division winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to the Intel Fair as an observer. O’Leary received this prize for his project entitled, “Knot in My Backyard,” which studied soil and growing conditions of Chinese Knotweed.
Reasbeck received a monetary award and also was presented with a dentist association award since her project dealt with tooth decay. It was entitled, “What’s In Your Toddler’s Sippy Cup?”
The fair was open to grades 6 – 12 and was held in Arnett Hall, West Liberty University.
The Wheeling Civitan Club, which has supported the fair for many years and donated over $42,000 to date, honored the students at the club’s weekly meeting at WesBanco Arena on March 19.
“The future of America depends on science, engineering and health care. This country can lead and change the world via science,” said Dr. James Caveney, Civitan president, as he congratulated the students.
Coordinator of the fair is WLU biology professor, Dr. Zach Loughman. For more information, please contact Loughman at 304-336-8923.