More than 30 Abramson Students Awarded Top Prizes in Citywide Science Fair

The Abramson Science & Technology Charter School announced that more than 30 of its students were awarded top prizes at the 2009 Greater New Orleans Science & Engineering Fair (GNOSEF) yesterday, including Garland Pugh, who won the 1st Place Grand Prize Award in the Junior Division for his project on the production of biogas, a clean, renewable energy source.  
 
Abramson is a science and technology-focused, college preparatory charter school, which is managed by the Pelican Educational Foundation.  Located in New Orleans East, the school was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and reopened in 2007 as part of the Recovery School District. 

�As a charter school just beginning our 2nd year of operation, this is an unprecedented achievement,� said Pelican Educational Foundation President Dr. Tevfik Kosar.  �Abramson�s mission is to prepare students for academic success through enhanced learning of math, science and technology�and the results of this competition show that we are doing just that.�  

In total, Abramson received 34 awards for projects in a variety of areas including: math, computer science and engineering, life science, physical science, and behavioral and environmental science. Pugh�s grand-prize winning project explained why biogas is a good source of energy for the future and how it can be produced from everyday waste such as garbage that can be found in most kitchens.  
 
A complete list of award-winning students and their projects is attached below.  These top finishers will now advance to state, national and international competitions, including the Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). 
 
�To see so many of our students, many of whom had never participated in science fairs before, do so well in this regional competition is exciting,� said Abramson�s Principal, Cuneyt Dokmen. �I am so proud of Garland and all of our students and teachers for working so hard throughout the year to develop such innovative and sophisticated projects.  All the time and effort they�ve given- after school, on weekends and even over the Mardi Gras break- has clearly paid off.�
 
More than 350 young scientists from throughout the Greater New Orleans area participated in GNOSEF.  Many of this year's projects tackled issues relevant to people around the world, including research on global warming, hurricanes, and alternative fuel sources. 
 
�Our future is dependent upon the ability of these young people to successfully address these issues,� said Dr. Annette Oertling, GNOSEF Fair Director.  �I feel it is our responsibility to inspire future engineers and scientists by encouraging creativity, innovation and the spirit of discovery through scientific inquiry.  This is certainly accomplished through the GNOSEF.�
 
GNOSEF was open to all students attending middle or high school in the New Orleans four-parish-area, which includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard. Entrants fell into two divisions, which include: the Junior Division of 6-8th grade students and the Senior Division of 9-12th grade students. 
 
The Abramson Science & Technology Charter School is operated by the Pelican Educational Foundation, a community based non-profit organization established in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that�s dedicated to preparing students for academic success through enhanced learning of math, science and technology.  This new concept for education was developed through a workgroup comprised of professors from LSU, Southern University, and Southeastern Louisiana University. To learn more, visit :

http://www.abramsonst.org/

GNOSEF Award List