NSCHS held its annual science fair, the largest in Fulton County, on January 20.  Ten area scientists, engineers and educators judged the student entries honoring eight first place winners; five of whom, all Sandy Springs residents, also received special trophies for exceptional work.

Freshman Ariana Lewis won the top prize, the Friends of Math and Science (FOMAS) Best in Show award for her project identifying bacteria in produce through mass spectrophotography. Sophomore Julia Abelsky, winner of last year's Emerging Scientist award captured the school's runner up Mendeleev Award for her project, Solution to Run-Off Pollution, a continuation of the project she began in 8^th grade which last year garnered several state-level awards. Sophomore Jason Bohrer received the Einstein Award for researching if anaerobic sulfur denitrification can be used to remove nitrates from waste water; freshman Elizabeth Wilkes received the Mendel Award for her work on the bestmulching methods to reduce rainfall erosion; and freshman Alex Taylor received the Emerging Scientist trophy for his project exploring the ability of fish to see and discriminate colors. Adrian Astaphan a sophomore from Roswell and freshman Barry Rich and Matthew Hannon also placed first. The eight first place winners will advance to the county science fair in February.

Several of the ten judges, all professionals, have judged the NSCHS science fair before and enjoy it. According to Stan Jones, Director of Engineering at Bennett & Pless, "I like to see students grow in their thought processes. This year there were more young students and they are developing an excellent foundation. Often when they start talking about their projects it's just amazing."

Physicist Dr. Lyman Hurd, from Interwoven, Inc. serving in his fifth year as a judge agreed, "I always enjoy interacting with and helping support these emerging science students; the North Springs science fair is always well done and the faculty is to be commended." This year's judges also included Matthew Nusnbaum, PhD grad student in neuro science at Georgia State; Margot Harding, senior project engineer with Energy Pro-USA; Nevruz Turan, biology and environmental science teacher at Fulton Science Academy; Laura Keck, chemist in material science with Kimberly Clark; Jill Sanders chemist and marketing manager with Solvay Advanced Polymers; Nicole Schechter and Tom Wickson, science teachers at Sandy Springs Middle School.

A Note About AP Courses

Courses are only taught if at least thirteen students sign up for them.  Even though NSCHS is a Math and Science Magnet, not all courses are taught every year.  Last year, several students decided they would rather take AP Physics C than what they had originally signed up for.  Unfortunately, because thirteen students hadn't registered for it, the course had been dropped from the schedule for this year.  If you want to a take a particular course, especially an advanced course such as AP, be sure to register for it now.

AP Biology

Correction to the AP Night hand-out.  The papers handed out at the AP Parent Night indicated that "Complete Science Fair project and competition" are a requirement for the AP Biology course.  This is incorrect, a Science Fair project is not required.

AP Physics C

Students who have taken AP Calculus and one high school physics course qualify for AP Physics C.  AP Physics C level is based on Calculus and is good foundation for students planning to major in science or engineering in college.  If this fits your student's goals, be sure to register for AP Physics C in the upcoming 2011-2012 school year registration.  The AP Physics C course can only be taught if there is sufficient student interest.  For sophomore students interested in AP Physics C, be sure to register for AP Calculus in the Junior year.

Distance Learning Calculus

The Distance Learning Calculus course covers Calculus II and III.  To qualify for this course, students must have completed AP Calculus AB or BC and achieved minimum scores in the AP test.  More information about the Distance Learning Calculus course is available at http://www.admission.gatech.edu/dcpfaqs/.

The FOMAS Plant Sale is fast approaching, start planning your spring plantings now.  Sale materials will be available on the web and at the front of the school before March 1.  This is the only fundraiser for the Math/Science magnet so let's make it a successful sale.  Volunteers are need to help on plant pick-up day 4/16, send email to info@northspringsmagnet.com if you can help.