Franklin Students Dominate GNO Science Fair

List of Winners

On Wednesday, March 17th, over forty students from Ben Franklin High School participated in the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair.  Thirty of those students were awarded with category awards and special awards from organizations and corporations.  In addition, three out of the available four Grand Awards for best overall project went to Franklin students.  The fourth place Grand Award was received by sophomore Jennifer Tu for her project entitled "The effects of bitrate and compression on video quality."  Sophomore Maresh Campbell won the third place Grand Award for her project "The effect of cell phone usage on reaction time."  Freshman Kinga Malkinska won the first place Grand Award as well as a trip to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose, California for her project "The effect of the magnetic field of a neodynium-iron-boron magnet on the reproduction rate of Chinese Haster ovary cells."  Senior Shannon Macika was given the Outstanding Project award from the International Sustainable World Olympiad, including a trip to the International Sustainable World convention in Houston, TX.  Three Franklin teachers-Mary Mysing-Gubala, Nancy Isaacson, and Clare Davis-Wheeler-also received teacher awards.  The Franklin Science Department was awarded the Patrick F. Taylor award.  In total, excluding trip value, Franklin students and teachers won over $3500 in prize money and scholarships.  First and selected second-place winners will go on to compete at the Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair in Baton Rouge.