Students' projects take honors

By The Tribune-Review

A number of area junior and senior high school students were among the winners at the 52nd Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and others received special awards from the fair's sponsors.

Presentations were made during a special ceremony at The Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

Regular categories included science for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 and biology, chemistry, computers and robotics, engineering, general science, mathematics and physics for high school students. Competition included 380 students from 64 schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Among the area's winners, in seventh grade: Frank J. Kadi of Franklin Regional Junior High for his project, Beach Erosion, first place; and Mike Betch of Gateway Junior High for his project, Uphill Bicycling Efficiency, honorable mention.

In eighth grade competition, Stephen Ostermiller of Mt. Pleasant Area Junior High finished in a fourth place tie for his project, Photoperiods on Radishes.

Among high school students, William Jerry Arrington of Norwin High School received honorable mention for his project, Periodic Table, in the computers and robotics category.

Sponsor award winners included: Melissa Connell of Norwin High School for her project, Efficiency of Toothpaste, by the Dental Society of Western Pennsylvania; Frank J. Kadi of Franklin Regional for Beach Erosion, by the Pittsburgh Geological Society, PPG Industries Foundation, and the University of Pittsburgh; Terry Oates of Franklin Regional for Unfriendly Sunshine, by the Optical Society of America, Pittsburgh Section; and Justin J. Schmida of Franklin Regional for Folded Plate Structure by Rust International Corp.

The projects will be on display at the Buhl Science Center, Allegheny Square, through May 30.