Multiple Winners at Computational Expo 2005!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2005
Auburn University Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama

Multiple Winners at

Statewide 2005 Computational EXPO!

       The Alabama Computational EXPO 2005 was hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University Montgomery on April 22, 2005. UMS-Wright students won top recognition for performance on a research project, in written problem solving exams and in an essay contest. This was the 8th consecutive year that UMS-Wright placed winners in a high school division. Students in the "Computational Physics" class and/or "Computational Chemistry" class are required to write a program in computer code (BASIC. FORTRAN, C++, JAVA) to predict the results of some physical event and then compare this result with data from the actual event. The class is provided and extra 2 days of class each well.

       A research project titled “Physics by Hand: The Physics of Breaking Boards” by Evan Wilson, Andrew MacRae and Ken McElhaney won 2nd Place in the high school division for precalculus programming students. This research project investigated the forces and impulses applied to wooden boards shattered by martial arts experts. Special computer interfaced technology in the UMS-Wright Physics Research Lab were used in this research to measure and analyze forces applied over small fractions of a second.

       Evan Wilson won the “Deltacom Essay” award. Evan’s essay addressed a question concerning “the impact of using research on my learning in the classroom.” Evan discussed how his interest in a martial arts research project inspired him to learn more Physics. His written expression was identified as the best of the seventy papers submitted at the competition.

       All of the UMS-Wright competitors were identified among the top 15 scores among all students at this statewide competition in the written “Problem Solving Test.” The "Problem Solving Test” required competitors endure a grueling and difficult 90 minute test with a variety of presented word problems. The problems required students to make assumptions, extract relevant information on and apply quantitative reasoning to unfamiliar contexts.Bradley Johns, Evan Wilson, Andrew MacRae, Ken McElhaney and Matthew Peterson were recognized and provided with certificates documenting their outstanding performance.

       Matthew Peterson of UMS-Wright was recognized for obtaining the highest score on the written “Problem Solving Test” at the competition. Matthew was provided with an award, plaque and a $1,000 scholarship (to the University of Alabama at Huntsville). 

       Every UMS-Wright participant at the statewide Computational EXPO 2005 earned recognition in at least one competitive event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mr. Ed Lathan, Principal
Ms. Jane Williams, Academic Dean
UMS-Wright Preparatory School
334-479-6551 Ext 152 Fax: 334-470-9050

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Combining my love for competition and interest in science was something I did from early on in my career. 

I also liked to do “action research” to evaluate initiatives in my class and department.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

“Physics First” was a department wide change in science sequence that I wanted to implement if able to.

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html

Physics Team Comes Close in 2005!

  I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge 

and prodding with so many wonderful memories!

Courage to take 4th Place!

at University of Alabama High School Physics Contest

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 
Friday February 4, 2005

          The University of Alabama hosted the 29th annual High School Physics contest held at the Student Union Center on the main campus in Tuscaloosa.  The competition was attended by more than 287 students from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia.  Individual testing provided winning competitors with the possibility of winning one of two four year scholarships at this competition.  The UMS-Wright Preparatory School Physics Team placed 4th among all private schools. In the private school category UMS-Wright (Mobile, Alabama) was 4th, Briarwood (Birmingham, Alabama) was 3rd,  Randolph School (Huntsville, Alabama) was 2nd  and Darlington Academy (Rome, Georgia) wast 1st.   There were fourteen schools in the private school division.
          The UMS-Wright Physics Team consisted of Bradley Johns, Matthew Peterson, Andrew MacRae and Beko Binder.  Joseph Bowman supported the team as an alternate.  In the “Private Schools Division” the UMS-Wright Team scored 45 points.  UMS-Wright was only two questions (out of 20 presented) from the first place team Darlington with 54. Randolph scored 51 points and Briarwood scored 48 points.
The team portion of the competition consists of problems solved  by each of the 4 team members individually.  Physics problems are presented to one representative of each team at the same time.  Those who generate accurate and correct solutions faster to each of the questions earn more points for the team.  The sum of all points by all four team members is the team score. 
          Only the very best Physics students from schools with the strongest programs typically attend this competition. Individual testing is used to determine scholarship offerings.  All five of the UMS-Wright competitors were in the top 50% of the of individual test takers.  Beko Binder was identified as one of the top ten competitors among the 287 competitors that vied for the scholarships. 
          Dr. Tim Burgess, observed  “This was a young team (three sophomores) that stepped up to compete with some of the finest senior level students in the southeast United States.  The fact that this team stayed in the running until the final question of the meet indicates the high degree of skill that our team displayed.  This may end a streak of five consecutive first place finishes but does not end the respect and recognition that our competitors have for the Physics Team at UMS-Wright.”

          In 1999 the UMS-Wright Physics Team edged into a 3rd place finish for the first time in the history of the competition.  In that year a UMS-Wright team member overheard a competition director asking a referee “Where is this school called UMS-Wright?”  In the next 5 years the University of Alabama Physics Department chair (or representative) called to offer 12 full four year scholarships to UMS-Wright Physics Team members and handed UMS-Wright five first place team trophies.   In two of those years UMS-Wright earned more points than all schools in all divisions (including magnet science schools from three states)!  One student who elected to attend the University of Alabama using the Physics Scholarship (won at this competition) is now in a Physics Ph.D. program at the University of California.  The directors of the University of Alabama Physics competition are now much more aware of where UMS-Wright is located than they were in 1999.
          Academic competition is extremely rigorous.  Schools without strong enough programs avoid such events.  Only the best schools with the strongest programs will even attend competitions such as the High School Physics Contest because of the possibility of winning.   The accomplishment of having five consecutive first place teams from the same school (like UMS-Wright) will likely remain unchallenged by any school for many years to come.   
The aim of UMS-Wright is to remain competitive (as we were this year) and to live our prayer:

“...those who follow after  Will find in us and example of truth and courage”

1st Place at Computational Expo in 2004!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 8, 2004
Montgomery, Alabama

Bulldogs Victors at
Statewide Computational EXPO!

         The Alabama Computational EXPO 2004 was jointly hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Jeff Davis High School at Jeff Davis High School on May 8, 2004.  Bulldogs won top recognition for performance on research projects, written exams, essays and in web page design.  This was the seventh consecutive year that UMS-Wright placed a first place winner in one of the three high school divisions! Students from UMS-Wright won certificates, plaques, cash awards & scholarships.
          The 1st Place research project and “Teachers Choice” award were won by Walker Plash, Jim Bailey and Howard Walker in a research project titled “The Medieval Siege Engine: The Catapult” (an computer based energy analysis of catapult performance).  The 3rd Place research project was by William Hatten and Dane Grovenstein with a project titled “Racket Slammer” (a computer based momentum analysis of tennis racket performance).  
         UMS-Wright students Walker Plash, Jim Bailey and Howard Walker  won 1st Place in “Student Website”.  Jim Bailey won 1st in the “Deltacom Essay” award.     
         In the written "Computational Exam" Walker Plash won 1st among all at the competition!  Four UMS-Wright students were among the top 15 students taking the exam and included Jim Bailey, William Hatten and Howard Walker.  UMS-Wright was also recognized for having the highest average score on the written exam among all participating high schools.  Walker Plash was awarded a scholarship for his performance on the exam.
       The students who took part in this competition are part of "computational Physics Class" that requires research and programming skills be developed to geneerate projects for this competition.  Dr. Burgess escorted the students to the "Alabama SuperComputer Program for Research In Education"  and stated  "These students are special.  Competence in coding, researching, writing and communicating must be performed at the highest levels to win at this competition.  That is precisely what they did.   These fine individuals need to be congratulated and honored!"

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Combining my love for competition and interest in science was something I did from early on in my career. 

I also liked to do “action research” to evaluate initiatives in my class and department.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

“Physics First” was a department wide change in science sequence that I wanted to implement if able to.

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html

1st Place at Auburn Physics Invitational 2004!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

First Place at Auburn University Invitational!

Date: February 12, 2004
Location: Auburn, Alabama

      Auburn University hosted the annual Chemistry, Geology, Geography & Physics Invitational Competition at the Auburn University main campus. A hundred high schools from around the state of Alabama were invited to bring teams of outstanding science students. The competition took place on Thursday (February 12th) top science students from high schools of all sizes and types attempted to win as a team in the competition sponsored jointly by the Science Departments at Auburn University. The UMS-Wright Team of Beko Binder, Dima Zakharov, Vanessa Moore and Vidu Yarlagdda of UMS-Wright Preparatory school won first place.

      The competition involved a students publicly responding to posed Geology, Geography, Physics and Chemistry problems in a timed pressured environment. Teams of students responding correctly to the posed questions and problems in the time provided earned points. The team with the most points won.

      Science Chair Dr. Tim Burgess, observed “Our science student team displayed the effort, persistence and skill required to win in a competition that included schools with outstanding students and outstanding programs in the physical sciences. These students are to be congratulated.”

==============

Combining my love for competition and interest in science was something I did from early on in my career. 

I also liked to do “action research” to evaluate initiatives in my class and department.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

“Physics First” was a department wide change in science sequence that I wanted to implement if able to.

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html

Physics Team Penta-peats 2004!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

              Physics Bulldogs Penta-Peat at the
University of Alabama High School Physics Contest!!

Date: February 6, 2004

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

      The University of Alabama hosted the 28th annual High School Physics contest held at the Scholastic rooms at Bryant Denny Stadium. The competition was attended by more than 43 teams and 241 students from Alabama and Mississippi. Individual testing provided winning competitors with the possibility of winning one of two four year scholarships at this competition. The UMS-Wright Preparatory School Physics Team placed 1st among all private schools for the fifth consecutive year! In the private school category UMS-Wright (Mobile) won 1st, Randolph School (Huntsville) was 2nd , Briarwood (Birmingham) was 3rd and John Carroll (Birmingham) was 4th.

      The UMS-Wright Physics Team consisted of Dima Zakharov, Richard Friedman, Dennis Blowser and Beko Binder. Jim Bailey supported the team as an alternate. In the “Private Schools Division” the UMS-Wright Team scored 58 points, Randolph scored 35 points and Briarwood scored 32 points.

      The bulldogs also managed to rank among all the schools at the competition regardless of size, type or curriculum focus. Homewood High School was 1st overall, the Mississippi School of Math and Science was 2nd, Vestavia was 3rd and UMS-Wright was 4th among all Physics teams from all schools.

      The team portion of the competition consists of problems solved by each of the 4 team members individually. Physics problems are presented to one representative of each team at the same time. Those who generate correct solutions faster to each of the question earn more points. The sum of all points by all four team members is the team score.

      Only the very best Physics students attend this competition to take part in the individual testing. Individual testing is used to determine scholarship offerings. Four of the five UMS-Wright team members were in the top 20% of the of the individual test takers. Beko Binder was identified as one of the top ten competitors among the 246 competitors that vied for the scholarships.

      Dr. Tim Burgess, observed “Winning first place in five consecutive years at a high stakes and highly competitive Alabama High School Physics Contest is unprecedented. Such a tremendous accomplishment is not solely the result superior intellectual skill, but it is also evidence of great character. Only character can make repeatedly winning at this level possible."

3rd Place at International Science Fair in 2003!

I appreciate all of the students who responded to my challenge and prodding

with so many wonderful memories!

Friday May 16, 2003

Cleveland Convention Center

Cleveland, Ohio

Mobile Student Science Researchers Win

3^rd at International Competition!

       The 54^th International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) was held at the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland, Ohio during the week of May 11-May 16, 2003.    ISEF is presented by Science Service and is sponsored by the Intel Corporation. The competition involved more than 1300 hundred students from 40 different nations that included the United States and its territories. The 425 team projects at ISEF were all winners from 500 previously held regional, state and national competitions. Matt Meduna and Larry Hu (both of UMS-Wright) won 3rd place in the Team Computer Science Category with a project titled “A Liquid-Based Thermoelectric Application for Processor Architecture Scalability.”

Matt and Larry were provided with an all expense-paid trip to the week long event by the Alabama State Science Fair. They left on May 11th on a specially chartered bus from Mobile (AL), set up their project on May 12th, endured a rigorous screening process (eliminating unqualified projects), presented the project to a panel of judges (most judges were from Case Western University) and endured two days of on-site project interviews. The top prize garnered a $50,000 cash award this year. The project won a 3rd Place in the “Best of Category Team” in Computer Science. The award included a $1000 cash scholarship for Matt and Larry.

       Jennifer Evans of the “Ceres Connection” at MIT announced a new honor for those who place at ISEF. The “Ceres Connection” is a major research effort that is searching for minor planets in the Earth’s solar system. This program will be naming previously discovered minor planets after the winners ISEF. The registered name of a minor planet based on Matt and Larry’s names and will be published in the summer of 2003.

       The 3rd place category finish was the best that the Alabama delegation had this year. Dr. Burgess commented “Matt Meduna and Larry Hu worked very hard on this project and continued to improve it at every level of competition. The initiative and competence these two students displayed are without comparison in my career. They did this project on their own, for no academic credit, even while engaged in a challenging academic load that included Advanced Placement courses. It is an honor to have seen their tremendous success.”

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No matter what state you are in the state Science and Engineering Fair is a big deal for the students with an affinity for doing science.  Getting to the competition and winning is rare as there are thousands of projects at the regional levels seeking to win at the state level.   The effort and skill it takes to accomplish a winning project at the state level can not be overstated.  Students must do good science and understand what they do.  They must present and communicate what they have done in a way that quickly convinces judges of competence and care first in the regional fair then again at the state level.

The project at the state level requires students to set up a presentation and orally present the research.  Then they must answer questions for visitors who provide special award recognition and may be official category judges.  After three days the researchers attend ceremonies hoping they won an award including a special award dinner and category awards the next morning.    

  I never promoted are required science fair projects but did tell students about the opportunity, the dates, critiqued the projects when they showed them to me prior to the competition.  I always encouraged science oriented students to do them.  If a student made it through the regional science fair I always tried top make the 4-5 hour drive to see the project of that student from my school.  I tried thanked the student for the many hours I knew they spent working on the project.

===============

Combining my love for competition and interest in science was something I did from early on in my career. 

I also liked to do “action research” to evaluate initiatives in my class and department.

Some of the fun I have  had as a teacher is here!

https://drbreminices.blogspot.com/2019/09/awesome-times-documented.html

“Physics First” was a department wide change in science sequence that I wanted to implement if able to.

It was cool to be able to oversee such a change prior to retirement!

https://physicsfirstworks.blogspot.com/2017/03/physics-first-starter.html