The Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF) was held March 31st - April 2nd. The IEEE Huntsville Section played a key role not only in judging for special awards, but by also sponsoring the fair as a category sponsor in the "Team Competition" category. Willie Fitzpatrick, Ron Hackett, Keith Jadus, and Frank Parris assisted with judging IEEE awards - a certificate and $100 savings bond for the top four science and engineering projects in the Junior and Senior divisions.

IEEE judges for ASEF (L to R) Keith Jadus, Willie Fitzpatrick, Ron Hackett, and Frank Parris

View of the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, note the IEEE Huntsville Section banner displayed

Judging for awards was done on Friday, April 1st. The morning was devoted to evaluating senior division projects, and in an ironic twist of fate, the four projects selected by IEEE at State were the same four projects selected by IEEE (with different judges) at the Northeast Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (NARSEF) earlier in March. Senior division winners were: Mark Stahl, Huntsville High School, "Electromagnetic Protection on Space Ships;" Boris Simmonds, Catholic High School, "Electromagnetic Limb;" Taylor Helsper, Catholic High School, "Supercomputing With Linux Clusters;" and Joshua Kalin, Catholic High School, "A Non-intrusive Investigation of a Simulated Ball Lightning Phenomena."

Lunch was provided, and with the weather being unseasonably nice, our IEEE judges did not miss the opportunity do a little tailgating. What could be better than soaking up a few rays, munching a sandwich and chips, and enjoying the company of fellow engineers and friends? Many of the science fair participants had the same idea, venturing outside to enjoy the day over lunch

Keith Jadus takes a few minutes to sit and eat lunch during the State Science Fair

Willie Fitzpatrick and Ron Hackett question the lunch box labeling scheme, after Frank gets turkey on a box with a "T," when he expected tuna

Judging for the junior division was after lunch, and, interestingly, IEEE had four different projects win than had won at NARSEF. Junior division winners were: Nathan Tinker, Covenant Christian Academy, "Burn Baby Burn: Using Fresnel Concentrators for Space Power and Propulsion;" Andrew Shirley, Clark School of Math and Science, "Reducing Aerodynamic Drag on a Baseball Bat;" Peter Johnsen, The Altamont School, "How High Can You Go?" and Samantha Sundsted, Advent Episcopal Day School, "Who's Hacking My Computer?"

Keith Jadus and Frank Parris attended the Special Awards Ceremony and Banquet that evening after judging, presenting IEEE awards to our recipients. Dr. John Dimmock from UAH, Director of the Fair, was the guest speaker, presenting an interesting discussion of early civilizations' perspectives of the universe entitled "Theories of the Universe."

Senior Division winners receiving their awards at the banquet. (L to R) Joshua Kalin, Catholic HS; Taylor Helsper, Catholic HS; Boris Simmonds, Catholic HS; Mark Stahl, Huntsville HS; and Frank Parris, IEEE

Junior Divsion winners at the Special Awards Banquet. (L to R) Samantha Sundsted, Advent Episcopal Day School; Peter Johnsen, The Altamont School; Andrew Shirley, Clark School of Math and Science; Nathan Tinker, Covenant Christian Academy; and Frank Parris, IEEE

It was another successful and rewarding science fair this year, with many new student projects and yet another opportunity for budding scientists to demonstrate new ideas that may someday shape our technological landscape. A special "Thanks!" to the IEEE judges for devoting their time to assist with selection of our special awards. And "Best of Luck" to all the students who made it to the State competition -- you're already a winner if you made it that far. Continue to nurture your interest in science and engineering, and hopefully in the near future you can join us in the IEEE!

Frank Parris
IEEE Huntsville Section
Chairman, Educational Activities Committee

Senior Division winner Taylor Helsper, Catholic HS, with his project "Supercomputing With Linux Clusters.”

Senior Division winner Mark Stahl, Huntsville HS, with his project "Electromagnetic Protection on Space Ships.”

Senior Division winner Boris Simmonds, Catholic HS, with his project "Electromagnetic Limb.”

Senior Division winner Joshua Kalin, Catholic HS, with his project "A Non-intrusive Investigation of a Simulated Ball Lightning Phenomena."

Junior Division winner Samantha Sundsted, Advent Episcopal Day School, with her project "Who's Hacking My Computer?"

Junior Division winner Peter Johnsen, The Altamont School, with his project "How High Can You Go?"

Junior Division winner Nathan Tinker, Covenant Christian Academy, with his project "Burn Baby Burn: Using Fresnel Concentrators for Space Power and Propulsion."

Junior Division winner Andrew Shirley, Clark School of Math and Science, with his project "Reducing Aerodynamic Drag on a Baseball Bat."