State Science and Engineering Fair Winners are from Northern Virginia

Two northern Virginia high school students won the top prizes in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF) Saturday at Old Dominion University.

Christopher A.M. Gerlach, who had been a winner at the Arlington Regional Science Fair, took the grand prize with his project, "Washington, D.C., Severe Convective Wind Events: An Analysis of Correlated Thermodynamic Parameters and Doppler Radar Signatures."

Second place went to Minsuk Kim, who qualified for the state competition by being a winner at the Fairfax Regional Science Fair. The topic of his project: "An Expansion on Analysis of Kasner Polygons Generated by Iterative Processes."

Approximately 300 students participated in the VSSEF.

The competition is based on the quality of projects done by students, the results of which are presented through exhibits at the fair. These projects were judged by a panel of scientists and engineers, with awards being presented to winners in 18 categories.

Christopher Osgood, associate dean of the ODU College of Sciences, was the fair's director.

The VSSEF finalists and their projects will go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair with all expenses paid. More than 1,000 students will participate in the international fair in Los Angeles, Calif., May 8-13.