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| Illinois Junior Science
and Humanities Symposium
2000 in Review
The 22nd Annual Illinois Junior Science & Humanities Symposium was held on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale March 26-28, 2000. The program is 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.
Almost 150 SIUC faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate students, and student organizations, as well as several external agencies, volunteered their time and resources in assistance of the program. Program support at SIUC was provided by Interim Chancellor John Jackson, Aerospace Studies (AFROTC), Army Military Science (ROTC), Center for Advanced Friction Studies, College of Agriculture, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Fisheries & Illinois Aquaculture Center, Library Affairs, Minority Engineering Program, New Student Admission Services, Office of Intramural Recreational Sports, SIU School of Medicine, Special Events & Projects, University Bookstore, and University Museum.
Participating student organizations included: American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Student Chapter, Math Club, Premedical Professions Association, SIU School of Medicine Caduceus Guild, Student Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS), and Zoology Graduate Student Organization.
Outside program support was provided by Burger King, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, SIU Credit Union, Saluki Bookstore, and 710 Bookstore.
Twenty-three teachers, six guests, and 89 students (118 total) attended the 2000 Illinois JSHS program, representing 27 schools from 23 counties across the state (10 Northern, 10 Central, 7 Southern). This year's participating schools included:
- Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL
- Aurora East High School, Aurora, IL
- Benet Academy, Lisle, IL
- Bethany High School, Bethany, IL
- Bunker Hill High School, Bunker Hill, IL
- Carbondale Community High School, Carbondale, IL
- Century Unit 100, Ullin, IL
- Delavan High School, Delavan, IL
- Elverado High School, Elkville, IL
- Grant Park High School, Grant Park, IL
- Harry D. Jacobs, Algonquin, IL
- Heritage High School, Broadlands, IL
- Herrin High School, Herrin, IL
- Heyworth High School, Heyworth, IL
- Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest, IL
- Lockport Township High School, Lockport, IL
- Manteno High School, Manteno, IL
Marissa High School, Marissa, IL
- Mattoon High School, Mattoon, 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
- Tuscola High School, Tuscola, IL
- Villa Grove High School, Villa Grove, IL
- Woodland High School, Streator, IL
Young scientists made presentations to their peers and visited the laboratories of SIUC researchers to learn about ongoing efforts in developmental behavior genetics, fish genetics, forest ecosystems, lasers, marine biology, wildlife research and more.
The event is one of 48 such symposia conducted nationwide. Five finalists from the IJSHS research paper presentations were awarded expense-paid trips to participate in the 38th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, April 27-30, 2000, in Washington, DC, in cooperation with the tri-service sponsoring organizations of JSHS; the U.S. Army and Navy Research Laboratories; and co-sponsoring universities, including Georgetown University, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, and the University of Maryland, College Park. The five finalists (in alphabetical order), their schools, their sponsoring teachers, and the titles of their papers were:
- Diana Kenyon, Midland High School, Mr. Eric Rittenhouse, "Extent of Crosspollination of Normal Zea mays L. by Neighboring Genetically Modified Cultivars"
- Craig Mermel, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Mr. Thomas Koenigsberger, "Comparative Morphological Analysis of the Macular Sensory Organs Using Calretinin Immunohistochemistry in the Chinchilla Vestibular System"
- Marc Sala, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Mr. Thomas Koenigsberger, "A Comparative Study of Contrast Agents Using Videodensitometry"
- Phillip Szymcek, Carbondale Community High School, Mrs. Judy Martinko, "Using Non-Invasive Geophysical Remote Sensing to Locate Lost Cherokee and Early American Graves"
- Mark Wester, Harry D. Jacobs High School, Mrs. Nancy Wester, "Effects of Ritalin on Regeneration Rates of Planaria (Dugesia tigrina)"
- John Sexton, Herrin High School, Mr. Larry Kepple, "Comparison of the Effects of UV Light on Escherichia coli FX-11-CT and FX-11-GC" attended the National JSHS as an alternate as Craig Mermel was unable to attend.
Ms. Diana Kenyon of Midland High School won the regional competition and receivd a $4,000 undergraduate tuition scholarship from the U.S. Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. She presented her paper and competed at the National JSHS.
Mr. Eric Rittenhouse, Diana's sponsoring teacher, received a $500 Faculty Award, honoring his contributions to advancing student participation in research.
Congratulations Diana and Mr. Rittenhouse!
The second place finalist, Marc Sala of Adlai E. Stevenson High School, was the recipient of an SIUC Academic Scholarship, valued at up to $4,500, to major in science at SIUC. Marc also presented his paper at National. Congratulations, Marc!
Ms. Lauren White of Lake Forest High School won 1st place in the Illinois JSHS Poster Session with "The Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor on Single-Celled Organism Growth and Development." Congratulations, Lauren!
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