Cleveland’s Menlo Park Academy Wins 1st Place at CONSEF

Cleveland, Ohio (March 12, 2011) -- The 8th Annual Concept Science and Engineering Fair (CONSEF) took place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Cleveland State University.

The annual competition is designed to increase public awareness in science, math and engineering and featured entries in 14 categories ranging from behavioral science to Zoology. Over 400 students from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Youngstown, Toledo, Chicago, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri competed while sharing their experiences, talents & abilities in this unique platform.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge from Ohio's 11th District was the guest speaker and Steve Belliveau from www.getscience.net provided entertainment while judges tabulated the scores.

Menlo Park Academy won the highest honor of Best School – 1st Place in the Junior Division (grades 5-8). All of Menlo Park Academy's 15 participating students won awards: Best in Category winners included Nick Hiti (Euclid) for Electronics & Engineering and Ojas Nadkarni (Avon) for Physics. Gold medals went to Aidan Harrington (Avon), Alexandra Harrison (Avon), Ben Zastawnik (Garfield Hts), Cade Smith (Broadview Hts), Fox Milenski (Lakewood), Grant Gibeault (Medina), John Antolik (Cleve Hts), Melanie Carlton (Cleveland), Shannon Leimbach (Vermillion), Tyler Brown (N. Ridgeville) and Zasca Ristianto (Olmsted Twp). Silver medals were won by Alexandria Glazier (N. Ridgeville) and Quintin Kovach (Westlake).

"These excellent results are a measure of the hard work our students have put in all year. From day one, they have been challenged to work above grade level and think independently. Our hands-on, research-based program stimulates students to want to find the answers to meaningful questions in science and other areas", stated team leader and Menlo Park science teacher, Janeth Eby.

“This was a magnificent opportunity for our students to venture into the world of scientific research that goes beyond lessons in the classroom or chapters in a book. Through the development of these science projects, our students achieve a first-hand admiration of the work of scientists and the implication of their discoveries to the real world.” said School Director, Sandy White.