The 49th annual Ozarks science and Engineering Fair took place from March 31 through April 2, 2009, and was held at Hammons Student Center. Nearly 300 students participated with approximately 250 different projects. Of the total, 124 projects were in the senior high division and 113 were in the junior high division. There were 23 non-competing elementary entries, which was a record high for the Fair. This year’s elementary division even boasted an entry from a kindergarten student.
Some $50,000 in prizes and cash awards were given not only for the students that participated, but also for the teachers who sacrificed much of their own personal time to support their students. The senior division Grand Prize winners were Zhou Li with his project “Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterizations of Graphene Supported PT and PT/RU Nanoparticles for Fuel Cell Application” and Tron Sherman’s “Use of Recycled Tires as a Hydroponic Medium.” Alisha Gray and Kaysha Ousley together were the first alternate and Kaila Swain was the second alternate. For the Junior Division, Theo Shuler’s project “Methods of Interrogation” snatched the grand prize, and Matt Haley was the Junior Division alternate. The senior division Grand prize winners continued on to the International fair in Reno, Nevada, which was held the week of May 9 – 16, 2009.
The Awards Ceremony was held Thursday, April 2, at Hammons Student Center. Dr. Jahnke participated as one of the award presenters.