Three Plano ISD Middle School Students Named Among Finalists in National Science Competition

September 9, 2011

Three Plano ISD middle school science fair champions are being recognized from among thousands of participating students in the Broadcom MASTERS program sponsored by Society For Science, the organization that sponsors International Science and Engineering Fair. These students are among 30 finalists who have competed since last spring with their science fair entries.

Congratulations, Plano ISD Student Finalists

All three of these students have won an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in October to finish their final round of competition and to be celebrated. One of the 30 student finalists will receive a top award of $25,000. Following is a list of Plano ISD finalists and their research titles.

I-Chun Lin
Schimelpfenig Middle School
“A Study of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency and Lifespan”

Alicia D'Souza
Rice Middle School
 “The Big Kill: Impact of Oil and Dispersant on Algae Population”

Ria Chhabra
Renner Middle School
“Organic Food: Buy or Bypass: The Effect of Organic vs. Inorganic Foods on the Health and Growth Parameters of Drosophila melanogaster”

In addition to the top three finalists, three additional Plano ISD students were selected from among the program’s top 300 semifinalists. Congratulations to these semifinalists:

Michelle Songin Park, Renner Middle School
“Be Attractive: Using Magnetism with Nanoparticles”

Justin Y. Du, Rice Middle School
“Garlic Chives: Pest Repelling”

Qianqian Yang, Rice Middle School
“The Effect of an Anti-CD40 Antibody on Human B Cell Growth”

Broadcom MASTERS Competition

During Broadcom MASTERS’ week (September 30 - October 4), finalists will showcase their science and engineering projects, and compete as a team in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities for awards and prizes. The top education award is $25,000 from the Samueli Foundation, a gift of Susan and Henry Samueli, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation.

The Broadcom MASTERS also recognizes middle school teachers who have inspired and mentored these finalists. In addition to receiving merchandise and rewards from Elmer’s® Products, Inc., the Broadcom MASTERS 2011 Official Classroom Partner and a leader in adhesives, arts and crafts and educational products, their classrooms also receive $125 Walmart Gift Cards. Each finalist school also receives $1,000 from the Broadcom Foundation.

The students will also enjoy an exciting introduction to the nation's capital, experiencing historical sites and organizations that celebrate innovation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The finalists also will visit the U.S. Capitol to meet their elected representatives.

The week's activities culminate with an awards dinner at the Carnegie Institution of Washington on October 4, featuring keynote speaking Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), a distinguished physicist and Jeopardy! champion.

Read more on the Society for Science website.