Research earns awards at Spokane STEMposium event

The first Annual Spokane STEMposium provided the Odessa High School science department's students an excellent opportunity to explain their scientific research. Last Wednesday, Alexa Boss, Jenna Shafer, Thorsen Wehr, Elizabeth Larson and their teacher/advisor Jeffery Wehr traveled to the WSU Spokane campus to present and observe other student presentations from across the Inland Northwest. Previously directed by Tom Stralser from Cheney High School, the STEMposium is now under the direction of many STEM-related professionals, including Dr. Sylvia Oliver from WSU, who was the main facilitator.

Students who participate in the symposium also had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, interact with practicing researchers, explore future academic and career opportunities and, of course, earn top prizes and scholarships. The following students earned a collective $12,000 in potential scholarships in the awards listed below:

Thorsen Wehr, "The Generation and Analysis of Sound Waves with Varying Nonlinearity"

• Grand Prize: Washington State Academy of Sciences

• Certificate and Ribbon of Superiority in physics/engineering

• First Place – Washington State University, College of Sciences: $2,000 renewable up to $8,000 tuition scholarship.

Alexa Boss, "Analyzing Retinal Vascular Tortuosity in Fundus Photography as an Indicator for Health"

• Certificate and Ribbon of Superiority in medicine and health

• Washington State University, College of Science: $1,000 tuition scholarship renewable up to $4,000.

Jenna Shafer, "The Correlation between Temperature and Glow Stick Reaction Time Using an Endothermic Reaction"

• Certificate

Elizabeth Larson, "The Outcome of the Numbers of Revolutions on Three Dimensional Digitally Animated Frames on the Final Video's Length in Seconds"

• Certificate