May 30, 2008

The Reno Air Racing Foundation has awarded $2,300 in savings bonds to the winners of the “Reach for the Stars” Young Researchers Awards at the Western Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair.

Board members of the Reno Air Racing Foundation and the Reno Air Racing Association judged the aviation related entries from among those submitted by more than 1,500 students from across the region. Young researchers in grades kindergarten through eighth grade were eligible to enter exhibits, awards will be presented to six of them.

Katie Fisher, a sixth grader at Coral Academy of Science, won a gold medal and $500 savings bond for her exhibit, “What Makes a Fabulous Flight.”

Matthew Mooneyham, a sixth grader at the Lake Tahoe School, won a gold medal and a $500 savings bond for his exhibit, “Airfoils vs. Critical Angle of Attack.”

Grant Dieter and Nick Overgaard, both sixth graders at Ed Van Gorder Elementary School, won a gold medal and $500 savings bond each for their exhibit, entitled “Lift.”

Sam Georgeson, a third grader at Jessie Beck Elementary School won a silver medal and a $200 savings bond for his exhibit exploring “Which Wing Shape Glides the Farthest?”

Ben Sigel, a fifth grader at Hugh Gallagher School, won a bronze medal and a $100 savings bond for his exhibit, entitled “The Great Paper Airplane Race.”

About the event
The Reno Air Racing Foundation sponsors the “Reach for the Stars” Awards and judges the entries in several categories and awards entries that best develop the theme of air and space contributions in the local, national and international community.

The “Reach for the Stars” Awards is one of eight specialty awards at the science fair. Western Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair is a competition designed to promote scientific thinking, creativity, and innovation.

The fair is an opportunity for students to exhibit their creative and critical thinking abilities and compete for recognition among other top students from throughout the region.