Norco, CA – Shay Edwards, 12 year old science student at Highland Elementary School in Norco, California won the 4-County Science Fair in April 2003. Shay competed against students in Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino Counties (RIMS) to take top honors in the 6th – 8th grade division. His achievement is of particular note in that there were 46 school districts and 29 private schools trying for the 83 spots to go on to the state competition in May.

Edwards, whose project was related to infrared, was introduced to attendees of Infraspection Institute’s conference and trade show, IR/INFO, held in Orlando, FL in January 2003 when Olivier Beauchemin highlighted Shay’s interest in infrared studies during a presentation at the same conference. Beauchemin said that Shay had contacted www.irinfo.org, a web site maintained by Infraspection Institute, and expressed a desire to utilize information from the site in a school project. An abstract of this project may be seen here.

As outstanding meritorious scholar in the Junior Division, Shay walked away with from the competition as the recipient of a $500 United States Savings Bond presented to him by the Science Technology Education Partnership (STEP). Only one other savings bond was presented at the close of the event and that went to the winner in the Senior Division.

Note: We have recently learned that Shay was not successful in the competition at the State level. However, everyone here at www.irinfo.org and Infraspection Institute considers Shay a true winner in that he clearly demonstrates a creative and insightful mind – something that will last long after the competition is forgotten!