LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten finalists have been named in
the AT&T Virtual Science Challenge, a program developed by the Louisville
Science Center. The Challenge is a statewide, online competition where
students used video and Internet technology to develop creative solutions to
science challenges.
The competition was open to Kentucky students entering grades 5-10.
Twenty-seven entries were received from 13 Kentucky counties. The top 10
finalists are Benjamin Baughman of Highlands Latin School, Morgan Jessee of
Barret Traditional Middle School, Christiane Mura of St. Patrick School,
Katherine Speece of Christian Academy of Louisville, Ian Timothy of St.
Stephen Martyr School, and a team entry by Megan Lenahan and Emily Schmitt, of
St. Margaret Mary School, all of Jefferson County; a team entry by Ryan Emmick
of North Hancock Middle School and Clay Chapman of Hancock County Middle
School, of Hancock County; Aleisha Jones of Majesty Academy in Daviess County;
a team entry by Travis Saling of North Bullitt High School in Bullitt County
and Emily Mann of Shelby County High School in Shelby County; and Shannon
Murray of Mercer King Middle School in Washington County.
Entries were judged based on scientific merit, creativity and the ability
to communicate ideas. The AT&T Virtual Science Challenge encouraged the
development of science, math, engineering and technology skills as students
worked individually or in teams to tackle unconventional science challenges
and used video to post their solutions online. Challenge categories included
Take It Outside, where participants can become eco-explorers as they turn
outdoor fun into serious science; Quit Bugging Me, a challenge to take action
to solve everyday annoyances; and SuperYou, for those dreaming of life with a
superpower.
Contest judges were Dr. Thomas Barnes, Extension Professor and Wildlife
Specialist for the University of Kentucky's Department of Forestry; Amy
Eckhardt, Director of the Office of Scholar Development at Western Kentucky
University's Honors Center; and Rudolph Spencer III, Student Body President
and Trustee of the University of Louisville's Student Government Association.
Additional funding for the Challenge was provided by Toyota Motor
Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. and the UPS Foundation. The winners will be
determined by a combination of the judges' scores and a public voting phase,
which ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 3, 2008. The winners will be announced
during the AT&T Virtual Science Challenge Winners' Celebration on Friday,
October 10, at the Louisville Science Center. AT&T Chairman Randall Stephenson
will present awards to the winners of the Challenge and speak about AT&T's
commitment to education. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and other local and
state dignitaries will also attend.
For more information or to view and vote for the top entries, visit
http://www.virtualsciencechallenge.com.
The Louisville Science Center is a nonprofit educational institution that
encourages people of all ages to enjoy science, mathematics and technology in
a stimulating and engaging environment that is educational as well as
entertaining. The Science Center houses the first IMAX Theatre in Kentucky,
serves more than 500,000 people annually and receives generous support from
the Louisville Metro Government.
SOURCE Louisville Science Center
