Future Los Gatos-Saratoga Scientists Win Awards

Nine advanced science research students from have won both individual and school awards at the Synopsys Silicon Vallley Science and Technology Championship.

The award ceremony took place at Great America in Santa Clara on Sunday, April 1.

Hannah Spinner and Sabera Talukder each won first-place awards in the botany and engineering categories.

Hannah investigated the ability of mycorriza (a beneficial plant fungus) to protect plants from pests and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.

She has been invited to compete at the California State Science Fair at the end of the month, said Jane Marashian, the assistant to the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District superintendent.

Sabera designed a water purification system that could be used in Third World countries utilizing low cost and readily available resources.

She received three awards and is an alternate to the California State Science Fair.

The LGHS students are taught by Cathy Messenger.

David Zarrin, of Saratoga High School, was one of the top 10 grand prize winners of the championship for a project about full stroke internal combustion engine with only four moving parts. His teacher and mentor is Bob Kucer.

He won an expense paid trip to the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA, May 13-18.

To read full descriptions of projects and awards, please click here.