JCHS Delegation Travels To Pittsburgh for ISEF
Jasper County High School (JCHS) students Jessica Moore, Drew Schilling, Cameron Snyder and teacher Elizabeth Proctor recently traveled to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jessica was invited to compete and both Drew and Cameron were awarded observer opportunities. All three students qualified to attend through research projects. Jessica spent two years researching lichens, PCR and sequencing. Drew measured carcogenics using gas spectrophotometry and Cameron investigated enzymes and biofuels.
At ISEF in Pittsburgh, Jessica competed in the Computational Bioinformatics category. Projects were sorted into 22 categories and approximately 1800 students from around the world competed for $4 million in awards and prizes. More than 80 countries were represented at ISEF. Countries included: Australia, Japan, Russia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, China, Finland, Nigeria, Singapore and more. Projects were judged on their creative ability and scientific thought, as well as the thoroughness, skill, and clarity shown.
While in Pittsburgh students enjoyed the midnight incline train rail ride, Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Heinz Field, Carnegie Science Center and, of course, all the international mixers.
The trio has earned several prestigious awards and opportunities. Jessica completed an internship at Emory University and presented her research in Washington, D.C., won Best in Show at Regional Science & Engineering Fair (RSEF) and competitor ticket to ISEF.
Drew completed two summer research internships at Georgia College, presented his research at the American Chemical Society Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina, awarded Naval Award and observer ticket to ISEF at RSEF.
Cameron was recently awarded an upcoming summer research opportunity at Georgia College, and was awarded the following at the Regional Fair: Naval Award, SI Award and In Vitro Biology Award.
Teacher Elizabeth Proctor has been awarded the 2018 Inspiring Educator Award by the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair and Science for Society and the Public Advocate Award.