PITT ANNOUNCES DATES, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FOR SCIENCE2005
Program to Highlight the Collaborative Environment of Contemporary Research
The University of Pittsburgh's fifth annual showcase of science and technology, SCIENCE2005: THE NEW RESEARCH ECOLOGY, will explore today’s leading areas of research—areas that are characterized by increasingly interrelated disciplines working together to illuminate pathways to vast new areas of discovery.
The free, public program, which is scheduled for October 6 and 7 in Alumni Hall on Pitt’s Oakland campus, will feature topics as diverse as neuroimaging, whole genome analysis, nanoscience, the science of aging, structural biology, Einsteinian principles, and more.
“This year’s theme—The New Research Ecology—was chosen to reflect contemporary science’s distinctive characteristics like collaboration among researchers from a diversity of highly specialized fields; flexibility in the use of resources to capitalize on rapidly emerging findings and developments; and a growing awareness of the need to translate scientific discoveries into advances in patient care and the development of new products,” said Arthur S. Levine, M.D., senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine.
Science2005 is designed to showcase the region’s academic strengths in science, engineering, medicine, and computation and to build collaboration among scientists at the University as well as with researchers from Carnegie Mellon and other universities and from local industry.
“Not only are we celebrating Pitt’s role as a scientific leader and the achievements of so many other investigators throughout the community, but we also are using this event to highlight the collective impact of their work on regional economic development,” said James V. Maher, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh provost and senior vice chancellor. “More than ever before, the case can be made that good science makes for good business.”
Dr. Levine and Dr. Maher are the convenors of Science2005, which will feature keynote lectures by four internationally prominent scientists.
Ronald W. Davis, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and genetics at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Genome Technology Center, will present the 2005 Dickson Prize in Medicine Lecture titled “New Genomic Technology for Yeast Applied to Clinical Medicine.” Dr. Davis is a world leader in biotechnology and in the development and application of recombinant DNA and genomic methodology to biological systems. According to his nominator for the Dickson Prize—the most prestigious award presented each year by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine—his work has had a “great positive impact on a broad swath of biomedical research.”
The School of Medicine’s 2005 Mellon Lecture will be presented by molecular biologist Cynthia Kenyon, Ph.D., whose pioneering research has provoked new insights into the regulation of the aging process. The title of her lecture will be “From Worms to Mammals: The Hormonal Regulation of the Lifespan.” Dr. Kenyon is the American Cancer Society Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco, where she also is director of the Hillblom Center for the Biology of Aging.
Joan Massagué, Ph.D., a renowned expert on the control of cell growth and fate by the TGF-β family of growth factors, will present the School of Medicine’s 2005 Klaus Hofmann Lecture, which recognizes a basic scientist whose work has clear clinical relevance. TGF-β signaling mechanisms are crucial in embryonic development, and their disruption can contribute to tumor formation and metastasis. Dr. Massagué is chairman of the Cancer Biology and Genetics Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, professor of cell biology at Cornell University’s Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. The title of his lecture will be “The Logic of TGF-β Signaling.”
J. Fraser Stoddart, Ph.D., D.Sc., holds the Fred Kavli Chair in NanoSystems Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles. He will present a Provost Lecture at Science2005 titled “Nano Meccano: An Integrated Systems-Oriented Approach to Molecular Electronics.” Dr. Stoddart is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of supramolecular chemistry, or the chemistry of bonds between molecules. His work focuses on elucidating the natural process of molecular self-assembly and applying that dynamic to directed activities in both the life and mechanical sciences, which has led to a number of breakthroughs in product synthesis and nanotechnology.
In addition to these keynote lectures, Science2005 will feature symposium sessions by Pitt and Carnegie Mellon scientists on the following topics: Einstein’s Miraculous Year; Cellular Real Estate; Whole Genome Analysis; Seeing is Believing—From Structures of Molecules to Cells and Organisms; Modeling Health Care and Public Health Decisions; Growth Factors in Health and Disease; Functional Neuroimaging; Aging and Antiaging; Small Is Good—Advances in Nanoscience; and Inflammation—What Does It Mean?
Other program highlights will include a showcase of new technology; poster sessions featuring research by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty; an exhibit of scientific products and services; a career development workshop; commercialization and interinstitutional collaboration case studies; and other events.
Among those likely to have particular interest in Science2005 are faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates from local colleges and universities; physicians and other health professionals; representatives of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, information technology, scientific equipment, and related industries; leaders in economic development and philanthropy; representatives of biotech-oriented law firms, financial firms, and venture capital companies; and secondary school science teachers.
More information about Science2005 will be posted online at
http://www.science2005.pitt.edu/ as it becomes available.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rebecca Lucore/Sarah Toulouse Bayer Media Line 412-777-5200
BAYER CORPORATION, SCITECH SPECTACULAR AND PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS LAUNCH NEW HIGH SCHOOL FILM COMPETITION
Acclaimed Documentarian Rory Kennedy Is Keynote Speaker
Bayer Celebrates 10th Anniversary of its Making Science Make Sense® Program with New Initiative
PITTSBURGH, April 21, 2005 — The arts and sciences, business and education came together today as three of the region's leaders in these fields joined forces
to launch a new environmental video and film competition and festival for Pittsburgh-area high school students.
The first SciTech Spectacular C.A.U.S.E.™ Challenge by Bayer Corporation (Creating Awareness and Understanding of our Surrounding Environment) — a High School Film Festival in partnership with Pittsburgh Filmmakers — will take place this fall during the 10-day SciTech Spectacular, September 30 through October 9, 2005, at Carnegie Science Center and other locations.
Rory Kennedy, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, served as keynote speaker at the launch event. Kennedy addressed a group of area high school students at Carnegie Science Center about the role of the documentary as an agent for social change and shared her own experiences in making films about real-world subjects.
"A festival such as this not only helps today's students to become tomorrow's witnesses of society and its stories, but it also is an excellent vehicle to help raise their awareness of the world around them and those who are helping to preserve, protect and improve it," said Kennedy.
Joining Kennedy were Gregory S. Babe, President and CEO, Bayer MaterialScience, LLC; Linda Ortenzo, Executive Director, SciTech Spectacular; and, Charlie
Humphrey, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Together, they
announced the new C.A.U.S.E. Challenge and each partner's commitment to it.
"This year, Bayer celebrates the 10th anniversary of Making Science Make Sense, our company-wide initiative that works to improve science education and science literacy among U.S. students," said Babe of Bayer. "At the same time, Bayer, through its partnerships with the United Nations and others, has long been committed to environmental and sustainable development programs around the globe. The C.A.U.S.E. Challenge allows us to merge and further strengthen these two commitments — hands-on, inquiry learning and environmental stewardship — in a meaningful way."
SciTech's executive director Ortenzo explained the new film festival is a key component of the 10-day Spectacular. "We appeal to a very broad audience by providing unique visitor experiences, many involving the arts. We have been developing the concept of a student film competition for several years. This partnership makes it possible," she said. "This initiative also fits the SciTech Spectacular's focus on the region's growth industries, one of which is environmental technology."
The C.A.U.S.E. Challenge invites high school students, either individually or in teams of up to four, to write, produce and edit a video or film with a five-minute maximum length on the theme "Mutual Impact: The Environment and You."
Its purpose is to provide a platform for high school students who are not necessarily on a science track to become more scientifically and environmentally aware using the non-traditional, yet powerful tool of film or video. In the filmmaking process, the students will develop their creative voice, master basic skills such as researching, reading, writing and speaking and build important science literacy skills like critical thinking, problem solving and team working.
"Pittsburgh Filmmakers' mission is based on a commitment to artists and the advancement of artistic excellence in film, video and photographic expression," said Humphrey of Pittsburgh Filmmakers. "Our partnership with SciTech Spectacular and Bayer will help students understand sophisticated ways to analyze and produce media arts — visual texts like video and animation, which are some of the most important forms of communication today — in context."
The deadline for entries is Sept. 12, 2005. There is a $5 individual entry fee and a $25 school sponsorship fee. Students can submit more than one film, but each entry must be on a separate video, DVD or miniDV. Entry forms are available at www.scitechspec.org.
All entries will be judged and recognized with a certificate for entry recognition, honorable mention, third place, second place and first place. First place winners also will be eligible to compete for the following:
Grand Prize: $1,000, a digital video camera and a personalized director's chair
Silver Prize: $500 and a Pittsburgh Filmmakers class
Viewer's Choice: $300 and a Pittsburgh Filmmakers workshop
Three Runners Up: A pair of tickets to the SciTech Spectacular
Visitors will be invited to view the entries throughout the Spectacular and will be encouraged to vote for the Viewer's Choice Award which will be presented at the Awards Ceremony, October 6, 2005 (location to be announced).
Bayer Corporation
The C.A.U.S.E. Challenge™ by Bayer Corporation is the newest component of Bayer's company-
wide Making Science Make Sense (MSMS) program, which is celebrating 10 years of advancing science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science learning, employee volunteerism and public education. Bayer's Pittsburgh headquarters is one of 11 Bayer sites around the country that operate local MSMS programs, which together feature a national volunteer corps of more than 1,000 employees. In Pittsburgh, more than 150 Bayer volunteers visit more than 175 classrooms, reaching some 3,500 students in the region.
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is part of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer employs nearly 17,000 in North America with net North American sales of 8.4 billion euros in 2004. Bayer's three operating companies -- Bayer HealthCare LLC, Bayer CropScience LP and Bayer MaterialScience LLC -- improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose and treat diseases, protect crops and advance automobile safety and durability.
SciTech Spectacular
The 10-day SciTech Spectacular is a community celebration that showcases Pittsburgh as an international hub of scientific and technological developments by featuring Pittsburgh-based companies, universities or organizations, or those with ties to Pittsburgh; and former Pittsburghers now distinguished outside the region. Its programs emphasize the growth industries of Pittsburgh: robotics, information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, environmental technology and advanced materials processes; and connections between science and technology and the arts/literature, current events and science in the news.
The diverse programs are designed for families, students and teachers (middle school through college) and adults. Visitors engage in provocative panel discussions, science demos and exciting arts performances, as well as interactive exhibit booths by corporations, universities, community groups and arts organizations.
Pittsburgh Filmmakers
Pittsburgh Filmmakers is a regional community resource and one of the oldest and largest media art centers in the country. It is committed to the artist and the understanding and advancement of artistic excellence in film, video, photographic and digital expression. It accomplishes this through programs in exhibition, artist membership services, and education.
Pittsburgh Filmmakers' School of Film, Photography and Digital Media offers one of the most complete professional training programs in the country. Classes are offered in film, video, photography and digital arts and are open to the public and can be taken for college credit. Pittsburgh Filmmakers is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
For more information and complete entry rules for the SciTech Spectacular C.A.U.S.E.™ Challenge by Bayer Corporation, please visit www.scitechspec.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Science Fair Director Tel: 412-237-1534 Email: kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
2005 Science Fair Winners Announced
Pittsburgh, PA, April 5, 2005 – The 66th Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) Award Program was held Saturday, April 2 at Heinz Field. More than 1,000 parents, students, teachers, judges, sponsors and volunteers attended the gala event. Two students from PRSEF will represent Pittsburgh at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix AZ, May 8 - 13. These winners are:
Mike Mi, Mt. Lebanon Senior High School Project: An Alternate Strategy for Anti-HIV
Abiram Bhashyam, Bethel Park HS
Project: Muscle Feedback After Stimulation
The Award Winners in each Division and Category are as follows:
Category
Division
Name
School
Physical Science
Junior
Stephanie Hatem
Rhema Christian School
Life Science
Junior
Cameron Davidson
Economy Elementary
Consumer Science
Junior
Mark Leibensperger
Pine-Richland Middle School
Behavioral & Social Science
Intermediate
Marlys Kotyuk
St. Thomas More School
Biology
Intermediate
Richard Vaerewyck
Transfiguration School
Chemistry
Intermediate
Sara Perez
Mother of Sorrows School
Computer Science/Math
Intermediate
Elizabeth Moody
Mellon Middle School
Consumer Science
Intermediate
Dan Frac
St. Thomas More School
Engineering/Robotics
Intermediate
Stacey Chen
Carson Middle School
Earth/Space/Environment
Intermediate
Jeffrey Lin
Ingomar Middle School
Medicine/Health/Microbiology
Intermediate
Margaret Schervish
Carlow Campus School
Physics
Intermediate
Nicholas Basara
Ingomar Middle School
Biology
Senior
Jingyang Cheng
Upper St. Clair High School
Chemistry
Senior
Megan Conroy
Conroy Learning Center
Behavioral & Social Science
Senior
Amanda Fultz
Ambridge Area Senior HS
Computer Science/Math
Senior
Charles Moyes
Kiski Area High School
Engineering/Robotics
Senior
Jennifer Cross
State College Area High School
Earth/Space/Environment
Senior
Zach Piso
Seneca Valley Intermediate HS
Medicine/Health/Microbiology
Senior
Mike Mi
Mt. Lebanon Senior High School
Physics
Senior
William C. Kirk III
North Allegheny Senior HS
Winning projects will be displayed at Carnegie Science Center through April 10.
ABOUT PRSEF: The Science Fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc., which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair. PRSEF is a major event of the SciTech Spectacular. The SciTech Spectacular (formerly the SciTech Festival) is a 10-day, community celebration of innovation and discovery that showcases achievements in science and technology of youth and adults in Western Pennsylvania and around the world. The 6th Annual SciTech Spectacular takes place Sept. 30 - Oct. 9, 2005 at Carnegie Science Center and other locations.
For more information on the Science Fair, visit www.pittsburghsciencefair.org. For more information on the Science Fair, visit www.pittsburghsciencefair.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Science Fair Director Tel: 412-237-1534 Email: kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
66th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair to Attract Nearly 700 students, 90 schools
Pittsburgh, PA, March 18, 2005 - Nearly 700 of the area's top young scientists will display their research at the 66th annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF), April 1-2, 2005, in the Club Level at Heinz Field.
Middle and high school students from the region will present research in behavioral and social science, biology, chemistry, computer science and math, engineering, earth/space/environment, medicine and health, microbiology and physics. Judges from local business, industry and academic institutions will pick first-, second-place and third-place winners from these categories.
"After all these years, I'm still excited by the creative thinking of the students," said Chuck Vukotich, Chairman of the Board of the SciTech Spectacular. "Their competitive spirit is high, but I feel it's more of 'how good can I be?' as opposed to 'how can I beat everyone else?' They also all seem to be having fun!"
This year's PRSEF participants will compete for more than $300,000 in cash and scholarships. Students from the Senior Division are eligible to win an all expense paid trip to Phoenix, Arizona to compete in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) held May 8-14, 2005. PRSEF is the only Science Fair in Western Pennsylvania affiliated with ISEF. Junior and Intermediate Division Category winners are nominated to compete in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge held annually in October in Washington, D.C.
The public is invited to view the exhibits at no charge from 2 - 4 p.m., Friday, April 1, and 9:30 -11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 2, in Heinz Field. Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony Saturday morning.
ABOUT PRSEF: The Science Fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc., which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair. PRSEF is a major event of the SciTech Spectacular. The SciTech Spectacular (formerly the SciTech Festival) is a 10-day, community celebration of innovation and discovery that showcases achievements in science and technology of youth and adults in Western Pennsylvania and around the world. The 6th Annual SciTech Spectacular takes place Sept. 30 - Oct. 9, 2005 at Carnegie Science Center and other locations.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Science Fair Director Tel: 412-237-1534 Email: kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
Local Middle School & High School Students Present Science Research At State Convention
Pittsburgh, PA, Dec. 2, 2004 - Three local students who competed in the 2004 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF) have been nominated to attend the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) Annual Convention at Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA, Dec. 2-3, 2004.
Nicole Tripp, a 7th grade student at Highlands Elementary in Ambridge will present her research "Which Popcorn Kernels Pop the Best?" Michelle Perry, a freshman at Seton LaSalle High School, will present "There's Crayon on the Wall." Chad Hoover, a junior at Cambria Heights High School, will present "Breed or Not to Breed." These award-winning projects were on display at PRSEF in April 2004 and these young scientists will present their research during the PSTA Poster Session Fri., Dec. 3 from 10:00 a.m. - Noon. This forum is a means to disseminate research findings, projects and/or new ideas to a large number of conference attendees in an informal setting. Teachers Tracey Rhode from Highlands Elementary and Laura Fisanick from Cambria Heights Middle School will accompany the students.
In addition to the Poster Session, all students and their accompanying teachers will conduct a session, "The World of Student Science Research - from the Students' and Teachers' Point of View" on Friday morning, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. The conference attendees will get a glimpse into the world of student science research. The students and teachers will present the "how to" of getting involved in doing science research projects and the various opportunities the students have to share their research.
PSTA works towards the advancement, improvement, and coordination of science education in all areas of science at all educational levels. For more information, visit www.pascience.org.
ABOUT THE SCIENCE FAIR: The Science Fair, a program of the Pittsburgh International Science and Technology (SciTech) Festival, celebrates its 66th year of open competition of research projects in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering on April 1 and April 2, 2005 at Heinz Field. This competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 from the 25 counties within Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Science Fair, a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940, is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc., which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair. In 2004, 712 participants competed from 88 area schools.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Science Fair Director Tel: 412-237-1534 Email: kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
Pittsburgh Student One of Final Forty in National Challenge to Name America's "Top Young Scientist Of The Year"
Pittsburgh, PA, Sept. 20, 2004 -- Pittsburgh student, Anton Schraut, who won a Category Award in the 2004 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, is competing to become "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year." Earlier this month, the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC) announced 400 semi-finalists, selected from 1,795 original entries. Today, that list was narrowed to the Final Forty.
These finalists will come to Washington, D.C. Oct. 23-27, to participate in the finalist competition at the Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. In addition to the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year," students will compete for more than $100,000 worth of scholarships and special prizes in team-based, interactive challenges celebrating 100 years of Albert Einstein's physics. 2005 marks the centennial of Einstein's relativity theories and the DCYSC will help kick-off the anniversary. Visit http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/dysc/index.html for more information.
Anton, now a freshman at Central Catholic High School, entered a project he submitted while in the 8th grade at Aquinas Academy. His project, MRSA: A Community Pathogen, explores a mutant, antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus virus that is responsible for a range of potentially lethal infections, including pneumonia
ABOUT THE SCIENCE FAIR: The Science Fair, a program of the Pittsburgh International Science and Technology (SciTech) Festival, celebrates its 66th year of open competition of research projects in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering on April 1 and April 2, 2005 at Heinz Field. This competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 from the 25 counties within Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Science Fair, a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940, is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc., which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair. In 2004, 712 participants competed from 88 area schools.
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If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with any of the students, please call Lisa Kosick at 412.237.1534 or e-mail Lisa at kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Science Fair Director Tel: 412-237-1534
Four Pittsburgh Students Among Finalists for the
Discovery Channel's "Young Scientist Challenge"
Pittsburgh, PA, Sept. 10, 2004 -- Four students who won Category Awards in the 2004 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair are competing to become "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year." Earlier this month, the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC) announced 400 semi-finalists; among them were these local junior high students:
Matthew Lipner, Gateway Middle School, 8th grade (Project: There She Blows! The Effects of Varying Wind Turbine Blades)
Anton Schraut, Aquinas Academy, 8th grade (Project: MRSA: A Community Pathogen)
Peter Gayler, Ingomar Middle School, 8th Grade (Project: The Effect of Temperature on Snow Crystal Formation Using Digital Microscopy)
On Sept. 20, judges will narrow the field of 400 semifinalists (selected from 1,795 original entries), to the "Final Forty." These finalists will come to Washington, D.C. Oct. 23-27, to participate in the finalist competition at the Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. In addition to the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year," students will compete for more than $100,000 worth of scholarships and special prizes in team-based, interactive challenges celebrating 100 years of Albert Einstein's physics. 2005 marks the centennial of Einstein's relativity theories and the DCYSC will help kick-off the anniversary. Visit http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/dysc/index.html for more information.
ABOUT THE SCIENCE FAIR: The Science Fair, a program of the Pittsburgh International Science and Technology (SciTech) Festival, celebrates its 66th year of open competition of research projects in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering on April 1 and April 2, 2005 at Heinz Field. This competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 from the 25 counties within Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Science Fair, a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940, is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc., which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair. In 2004, 712 participants competed from 88 area schools.
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If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with any of the students, please call Lisa Kosick at 412.237.1534 or e-mail Lisa at kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Fair Director 412-237-1534
Young Scientists from Pittsburgh Capture Awards
at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
Pittsburgh, PA, May 18, 2004 -- Local Pittsburgh area high school students Shantanu Gaur, Lekha Tummalapalli and Di Ye competed in the world's largest pre-college science competition, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held May 9-15 in Portland, Oregon. ISEF brings together over 1,200 students from 40 countries to compete for $3 million in scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and the grand prize: $50,000 scholarship and a high performance computer.
Mr. Gaur, a senior at Bethel Park High School, showcased his project "R-Cognin Mediates Aggregation via Free Cell Surface Sulfhydryls." This is the second year in a row that Mr. Gaur competed. He captured second place in the Biochemistry Category and won $1,500.
Ms. Ye, a sophomore at Mt. Lebanon High School, presented "Carbon Sequestration by Bauxite Residue from Industrial Waste to Mitigation of Global Warming." Ms. Ye was awarded Honorable Mention from the American Chemical Society and a second place, $500 U.S. Savings Bond from Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty (AVASC) Foundation.
Science Service, Inc. which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair in partnership with Intel, presented the Awards last week. Winners are ninth through twelfth graders who qualified to compete by winning top prize at a local, regional, state or national science fair.
The Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF) has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc. In 2004, over 700 participants competed from 90 schools in 12 counties for over $300,000 in cash and scholarships. For more information on PRSEF, visit pittsburghsciencefair.org or call 412-237-1534.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Kosick Science Fair Director 412-237-1534
Pittsburgh's Young Scientists To Compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
Pittsburgh, PA, April 28, 2004 -- Mr. Shantanu Gaur, Ms. Lekha Tummalapalli and Ms. Di Ye will compete in the world's largest pre-college science competition, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9-14 in Portland, Oregon. ISEF brings together over 1,200 students from 38 countries to compete for $3 million in scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and the grand prize: a trip to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden.
Mr. Gaur, a senior at Bethel Park High School, will showcase his project "R-Cognin Mediates Aggregation via Free Cell Surface Sulfhydryls." This is the second year in a row that Mr. Gaur will compete. Last year, he captured third place in the Biochemistry Category and won $1,000.
Ms. Tummalapalli, a junior at Fox Chapel Area High School, will showcase her project "Fetal Hepatocytes/Bioreactors."
Ms. Ye, a sophomore at Mt. Lebanon High School, will present "Carbon Sequestration by Bauxite Residue." This is Ms. Tummalapalli and Ms. Ye's first time competing at Internationals.
Winners in the International Competition are 9th through 12th graders who qualified to compete by winning top prize at a local, regional, state or national science fair. Mr. Gaur, Ms. Tummalapalli and Ms. Ye were selected after winning top prizes at the 65th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair earlier this month. Seagate will sponsor the local winners.
"Seagate supports the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair with the goal of encouraging students to pursue careers in science and technology," said Mark Kryder, senior vice president of research and chief technical officer. "This year's winners illustrate the creativity and hard work that is necessary to achieve success, both now and in the future, when they become our leaders and innovators."
The Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, a component to the Pittsburgh SciTech Spectacular, has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc. In 2004, 700 participants competed from 80 schools in 12 counties for over $300,000 in cash and scholarships. For more information, visit www.pittsburghsciencefair.org.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact:
Daniel Casciato Marketing Manager 412-237-3335
Earth Harp, ROBOSTILTS, Segway and Mr. McFeeley
Highlight the final weekend at the 5th Annual SciTech Spectacular
WHAT:
Pittsburgh International Science & Technology (SciTech) Festival
WHERE:
Carnegie Science Center
WHEN:
Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 10:00am-5:00pm
WHO:
All ages
OTHER INFO:
Music from Earth Harp, the world's largest stringed instrument; Segway demonstrations; surprising facts; thought-provoking discussions; and ROBOSTILTS await visitors at the final weekend of the Pittsburgh International Science and Technology Festival. Also, visitors will be entertained with a play based on the popular children's book "A Wrinkle in Time," and will discover what the world is like without the inventions of Africans and African Americans in "1001 Black Inventions."
Now in its fifth year, the SciTech Spectacular is a community-wide celebration of innovation and creativity, where science and technology achievements in western Pennsylvanian and around the world are recognized. It's the only event of its kind in the United States.
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Editor's Note: For interviews with each of the students, please contact Lisa Kosick, Science Fair Director, at (412) 237-1534.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact:
Daniel Casciato Marketing Manager 412-237-3335
5th Annual SciTech Spectacular Kicks Off
WHAT:
Pittsburgh International Science & Technology (SciTech) Festival
WHERE:
Carnegie Science Center
WHEN:
Saturday, April 17, 10:00am-5:00pm
WHO:
All ages
WHY:
The (SciTech Spectacular) is a 9-day community event showcasing innovations in science and technology in this region and beyond. It's the only event of its kind in the United States.
This region is home to countless businesses and researchers who are shaping the future. The SciTech Spectacular encourages and celebrates the work of these future science and technology all-stars and brings the public together with the region's professional and research community.
This year's festival features the 65th annual Science Fair, live theater, workshops, talks, outdoor demonstrations, and hands-on activities. There are programs and events for everyone.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact:
Daniel Casciato Marketing Manager 412-237-3335
2004 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Award Winners To Be Announced
WHAT:
65th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Awards Ceremony
WHERE:
Heinz Field, Club Lounge West
WHEN:
Awards Ceremony: Saturday, April 3, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
WHO:
Over 700 6th - 12th graders from 84 schools across 12 counties of Western PA
MORE INFO:
This year's participants will compete for more than $300,000 in scholarships. Up to four students from the Senior Division will win an all expense paid trip to Portland, Oregon to compete in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair held May 9-14, 2004. The PRSEF is the only Science Fair in Western Pennsylvania, which is affiliated with the ISEF. Junior and Intermediate Division Category winners are nominated to continue in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge.
The Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair is a component of the Pittsburgh SciTech Spectacular. Winning projects from the Science and Engineering Fair will be displayed for the public at the SciTech Spectacular (inside Carnegie Science Center) from April 17-25. For more information on the Science Fair, visit www.pittsburghsciencefair.org. For more information on the SciTech Spectacular, visit www.scitechfestival.org.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Contact:
Lisa Kosick, Science Fair Director 412-237-1534 kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org
Quecreek Mine Rescue Capsule on Display at Heinz Field
WHAT:
Quecreek Mine Capsule on display during the 65th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair
WHERE:
Heinz Field, Club Lounge East
WHEN:
Friday, April 2, Noon. - 4:00 p.m.
MORE INFO:
On July 24, 2002 in Somerset County, nine courageous miners were trapped for 3 days in the dark Quecreek mine two hundred and forty feet under ground. An accidental cut into a weak mine wall unleashed rushing water that surrounded the miners pushing them to the limits, tying themselves to one another and fearing for their lives. After close to seventy-seven hours of waiting, the drills from the surface finally made their way to the hopeful miners that began tapping on its hull signaling for help.
The Quecreek Mine Rescue Capsule stretched its 8.5 foot 22 inch wide yellow cylinder down to the miners' location, and pulled them one by one to the surface. This amazing piece of metal and miracles will be on display at Heinz Field during the Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair. Take this opportunity to experience history up close and personal.
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