EHS Student Going to International Science Fair

Eastside High School Student to Compete at International Science & Engineering Fair; Over 30 NCSS Students Win Awards at Regional Fair
Posted on 02/20/2019
Sarah SchlueterEastside High School student, Sarah Schlueter, will compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) after the junior won the Intel ISEF Award along with multiple other awards at the 2019 Griffin RESA Regional Science Fair. Schlueter is only the second Newton County School System student to win the prestigious Intel ISEF award and all-expenses paid trip. She will join approximately 1,800 high school students from more than 75 countries who are showcasing their independent research and competing for on average $4 million in awards. The Intel ISEF is the premier global science competition for students in grades 9-12 and will be held in Phoenix, Arizona on May 12-17, 2019.

In addition to the Intel ISES Award, Schlueter not only won first place in her category at the Regional Fair for her project but also brought home the University of Georgia/Griffin Campus Award and the Regeneron Science Talent Search Award.

“I was shocked to win all of the awards,” said Schlueter, who noted she had been working since her freshman year to get her project approved so she could work in an actual research lab. Her project, entitled, “The Effects of Cell-Cell Crosstalk on Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion” is near and dear to her heart as Schlueter admitted she has Type I diabetes.

“This project allowed me to work in a research lab,” she said. “I had to contact Georgia Tech and then I met with the CEO of Piedmont Newton Hospital and they were all very helpful. I was allowed to conduct my research in the Piedmont Newton lab.”

She added, “It was really nice to be a high school student and work in a fully equipped research lab full of equipment. So while it was cool to get all of the awards, it was also a relief as it proved that all the time I put into this project and the support that everyone provided was worth it. I couldn’t be more excited to go to ISEF!”

“Piedmont Newton was pleased to provide a venue for a rising scientific star like Sarah Schlueter to conduct her outstanding research,” said Dr. Eric Bour, CEO of Piedmont Newton Hospital. “When she approached us and described her project, we were determined to assist her in finding appropriate lab space to conduct her project. She is well deserving of the award and chance to participate in the next level of competition. We wish her the best of luck in her pursuit!”

Science research is nothing new to Schlueter, who will also participate in the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair as a result of her first place win at the Regional Fair.

“This is actually the fourth year I’ll be going to State since eighth-grade,” she said.

In addition to Schlueter, Newton County School System had over 30 middle and high school award winners at the 2019 Griffin RESA Regional Science Fair. And just like Schlueter, several students racked up some prestigious awards in addition to their first place award. Sam Dage from the Newton College & Career Academy won the AMS Materials Award in addition to his first place ribbon. Middle School student Jeremy Mitchell from the Newton County Theme School, brought home multiple awards for his first place project, including the Office of Naval Research/United States Navy & Marine Corps Award and the Broadcom Masters Award. Newton County Theme School student Megan Ellington also earned the Broadcom Masters Award for her first-place project. The Broadcom Master’s Award is the highest award given to middle school students at the competition. Winners of this award are invited to compete in the Broadcom Masters competition in Washington, DC.

“The amount of awards earned by Newton County School System’s students at the Regional Science Fair speaks volumes about their talent, as they competed against the best and brightest students from Fayette, Henry, Griffin-Spalding, Butts, Pike, Lamar, and Thomaston Upson county schools,” said Samantha Fuhrey, superintendent of Newton County School System.

“I am so impressed but definitely not surprised by how successful our students were at the Regional Science Fair,” added Fuhrey. “I know for a fact and have said for years, that Newton County is home to some of the most academically gifted students in the state. Our students continually prove in competitions such as the Regional Science Fair that they can compete with and out-perform the very best students the state of Georgia has to offer. I am so proud of each and every one of our students and wish those moving on to the state and international competitions the very best of luck. I know they will represent their schools and our school system well!”

The following is a list of all Newton County School System Regional Science Fair winners. All first place winners will move on to compete at the 2019 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair in Athens, Georgia on March 28-30.

Regional Science Fair Winners and Project Information; This is Alt Text
 STUDENT   SCHOOL    AWARD    CATEGORY    PROJECT 
 SENIOR DIVISION (HIGH SCHOOL)    
 Sam Dage   Newton College & Career Academy    1st Place & AMS Materials Award    Materials Science    Acid Rain Solutions 
 Logan Dobar   Newton College & Career Academy    1st Place    Energy: Chemical    Hydrogen Fuel Cells 
 Sydney Meeler   Eastside High    1st Place    Microbiology    Inneffective Biological Pathways in DNA 
 Zachary Moore & Jared Seals   Newton College & Career Academy    1st Place    Engineering Mechanics    The Next Gen 
 Sarah Schlueter   Eastside High    1st Place, University of Georgia/Griffin Campus Award, Regeneron Science Talent Search Award, & Intel ISEF Award    Biomedical and Health Sciences    The Effects of Cell-Cell Crosstalk on glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion 
 Iyonna Clark   Newton High    2nd Place    Materials Science    Assistive Technology for Elderly and Disabled Individuals 
 Zoe Mayo   Newton High    2nd Place    Biomedical and Health Sciences    Substrate Breakdown 
 Van Nipper   Newton College & Career Academy    2nd Place    Engineering Mechanics    Wi-Fi: An Unstoppable Force 
 Victoria Bailey & Caiden Newman   Eastside High    3rd Place    Behavioral and Social Sciences    In Living Color: How the Different Wavelengths of Light Affect Circadian Rhythm 
 Maranda Brown & Renecia Davis   Newton High    3rd Place    Energy: Chemical    Solar Panel USB Phone Charger 
 Russell Danilchuk & Ken Nguyen   Newton College & Career Academy    3rd Place    Environmental Engineering    Fire From Above 
                 
 Junior Division (Middle School)
 Caleb Ekanem & Emma Grace Lumpkin   Newton County Theme School    1st Place    Earth and Environmental Sciences    Effects of Activated Carbon on Water 
 Megan Ellington   Newton County Theme School    1st Place & Broadcom Masters Award    Biomedical and Health Sciences    Battle of Degreasers 
 Lizara Fletcher & Cindy Ramos   Indian Creek Middle School    1st Place    Animal Sciences    Eggcellent Journey 
 Nevaeh Foster & Aniya Wren   Veterans Memorial Middle School    1st Place    Chemistry    Laundry War 
 Jeremy Mitchell   Newton County Theme School    1st Place, Office of Naval Research/United States Navy & Marine Corps Award, & Broadcom Masters Award     Chemistry    Do You See What I See? What Type of Sunglass Lens Best Protects Your Eyes from UV Radiation  
Rider Wendell   Veterans Memorial Middle School    1st Place    Physics and Astronomy    Let's Bounce Into Science 
 Trinity Benton   Newton County Theme School    2nd Place    Chemistry    Which Multivitamins Are More Effective on Your Body 
 Sarah Edge   Indian Creek Middle School    2nd Place    Animal Sciences    Breeds & Gaits 
 Grace Knowles   Indian Creek Middle School    2nd Place    Biomedical and Health Sciences    Does Caffeine Have a Placebo Effect? 
 Skylar Price   Veterans Memorial Middle School    2nd Place    Chemistry    See the Vitamin
 Kenzie Thompson   Newton County Theme School    2nd Place    Animal Sciences    Which Food Do Honey Bees Find Faster 
 Kaitlin Wilber   Newton County Theme School    2nd Place    Biomedical and Health Sciences    Saddle Up! Does the Addition of Shock Material Reduce G-Force 
 Kevin Dorsett   Veterans Memorial Middle School    3rd Place    Physics and Astronomy    Hertz & RPM 
 Cameron Potter   Indian Creek Middle    3rd Place    Plant Sciences    Aquaponics  vs Hydroponics 
 Brooklynn Wescott   Indian Creek Middle School    3rd Place    Materials Science   Which Household Item Nailed It? 

For more information, contact Ms. Sherri Davis, director of public relations for Newton County Schools, at [email protected]