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Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork has won three sixth grade students from Solana Pacific School finalist positions in two prestigious national science competitions. The "Sandpipers" team, comprised of three students, Ethan Epstein, Brandon Liu and Mandy Wirt and led by Team Advisor Rhonda Epstein, was recognized by judges for its research to assist students with severe disabilities. The team designed, built, tested and evaluated a portable multi-sensory unit (PMSU) to benefit the mental and emotional health of students with multiple disabilities.
Students won a first-place regional award in this year's eCYBERMISSION competition. They are one of the 16 teams chosen to compete in the finals out of 1,763 teams that entered this year's competition. With this year's award, each team member will receive a $3,000 US. EE Savings Bond and will be invited to attend the National Judging and Educational event in Washington D.C. in June.
eCYBERMISSION is a U.S. Army-sponsored, web-based science, math and technology competition that allows students in grades six through nine to compete for regional and national awards while working to solve problems in their communities.
The Sandpipers team also entered their project in the Christopher Columbus Awards. They have won one of eight finalist positions which awards them with an all-expense-paid trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, where they will compete in the Christopher Columbus Awards National Championship Week this June, plus a $200 grant to further their project. During the National Championship Week, Ethan, Brandon and Mandy will attend the Christopher Columbus Academy, a custom-designed educational program. Conducted by scientists, engineers and educators, the program reveals the science and technology behind the thrills and excitement of Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.
The Christopher Columbus Fellowship foundation is an independent Federal government agency created by Congress in 1992 to encourage and support research, study and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind.
The Sandpiper team is busily preparing for their final competitions by creating formal presentations with audio-visual aids to be presented to different panels of judges. Good luck to the Sandpipers!
For further information on these competitions go on-line to www.ecybermission.com and www.christophercolumbusawards.com
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