Viburnum Student Wins Regional Science Fair
by
Johnny C. Jones Bryan Jones, a Viburnum senior, took top honors and swept the special awards at the 35th annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair in Cape Girardeau March 28th, 1991. His awards totaled about $1000, not including the overall prize of an expense-paid trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Orlando, Florida, May 5th-11th, 1991.
Bryan's project was "Design and Construction of an Underground Mine Fire Fighting Robot." His device, at full scale, is designed to extinguish mine fires at lower risk to Mine Rescue Team members. His research included information from members of Mine Rescue Teams and MSHA officials.
Bryan was unsure about how his project would fare when he entered it Tuesday March 26th. Even after 11 months' work, and hundreds of hours of effort, the project did not work perfectly. However, Bryan hopes he can get the robot working well in time for the international competition in Orlando.
In addition to the overall prize and 1st place in Engineering, including a $25 wish award, a labcoat, medallion and ribbon, Bryan won these special awards: a medal and certificate from Junior Engineering Technical Society; the Louis Unfer scholarship for $750; a certificate from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; a $50 savings bond from Union Electric; a certificate, medal, and $50 savings bond from the United States Army; third place from the United States Navy, including a certificate and an opportunity to compete for Navy awards at the ISEF; $100 from Blue Cross/Blue Shield; a savings bond from the Cape Girardeau Engineers Club; and a mug and gift certificate for equipment from Fisher Scientific for his teacher.
Many people contributed to Bryan's success, and he wants to publicly thank each person who helped him or supported him with their thoughts and prayers. Bryan plans to go to Rice University in the fall, to major in electrical engineering/computer science.
