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| Illinois Junior Science
and Humanities Symposium
1997 in Review
The 19th Annual Illinois Junior Science & Humanities Symposium was held on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) on March 23-25, 1997. The program was made possible through the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, The Academy of Applied Science, and the College of Science at SIUC. Additional program support at SIUC was provided by Aerospace Studies (AFROTC), Army Military Science (ROTC), College of Agriculture, College of Engineering, Illinois State Police Southern Illinois Forensic Science Centre, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, New Student Admission Services, Office of Intramural Recreational Sports, SIU School of Medicine, Student Development, University Bookstore, and Wildlife Materials, Inc.
Nineteen teachers and 75 students participated in the 1997 Illinois JSHS program, and represented 18 schools from 16 counties. The schools represented include:
- Bethany High School, Bethany, IL
- Carbondale Community High School, Carbondale, IL
- Century Unit 100, Ullin, IL
- Chester High School, Chester, IL
- Crescent-Iroquois High School, Crescent City, IL
- Elverado High School, Elkville, IL
- Grant Park High School, Grant Park, IL
- Manteno High School, Manteno, IL
- Mattoon High School, Mattoon, IL
- Metro-East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville, IL
- Midland High School, Varna, IL
- Mt. Pulaski High School, Mt. Pulaski, IL
- N.C.O.E. High School, Norris City, IL
- Rochester High School, Rochester, IL
- Sesser-Valier High School, Sesser, IL
- Southeastern High School, Augusta, IL
- St. Bede Academy, Peru, IL
- Villa Grove High School, Villa Grove, IL
In all, about two dozen young scientists from 12 high schools made presentations to their peers. The high school scientists also visited the laboratories of SIUC researchers to learn about ongoing efforts in chemistry and biochemistry, behavioral and social sciences, computer science, fisheries, electrical engineering, geology, physics, physiology, plant biology, and zoology. Off-campus experts and SIUC alumni talked to the teens about their ground-breaking work, too.
Timothy Yau of Carbondale Community High School won the regional competition with his paper presentation "Antioxidant Activity in Ginger and Garlic." Cynthia Young, Tim's sponsoring teacher, received the Faculty Award.
Tim presented his paper at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, May 1-4, 1997, where he placed third in the Biochemistry/Chemistry section. Tim received a $2,000 tuition scholarship at National, which added to his $4,000 tuition scholarship at the Illinois JSHS, brings his total award to $6,000. Congratulations, Tim!
Five finalists from the IJSHS research paper presentations were awarded expense-paid trips to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, May 1-4, 1997. The five finalists, their schools, their sponsoring teachers, and the titles of their papers are:
- Matt Spector, Carbondale Community High School, Ms. Cynthia Young, "Corn as an insulator: How does it compare to commercially available products"
- Shelly Stienbarger, Southeastern High School, Mrs. Jennifer Roberts, "The use of antioxidants to reduce ultraviolet damage in Escherichia coli"
- John Tanner, Midland High School, Mr. Eric Rittenhouse, "Improving long-term apple storage"
- Valerie Wappelhorst, Metro-East Lutheran High School, Dr. Beverly Friend, "Factors influencing enrollment in advanced math and science courses in high school"
- Timothy Yau, Carbondale Community High School, Ms. Cynthia Young, "Antioxidant Activity in Ginger and Garlic"
Sara Roberts of Southeastern High School won 1st place in the Illinois JSHS Poster Session with "Investigation of an environmental friendly corn-based deicer."
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