SCCTM Recognizes Kevin Ballard  SCJAS Award Winner for Best Oral and Best Written Presentation in 2003

Kevin Ballard, a student at the Academic Magnet High School in Charleston, SC, won the SCJAS award for best oral and best written presentation in 2003. 

Computerized Isomer Enumeration of the Alkane Series (PDF file)
by Kevin Ballard.

In Kevin's own words:

I was born June 25, 1985 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to John and Suzanne Ballard. I have two younger siblings, Nick and Jessica. I lived in Ottawa and Montreal for 15 years. I was a member of Scouts Canada for 10 years, through which I received the Canadian Chief Scout award (the highest award in Scouts Canada). I moved to Charleston in February 2000, where I began attending the Academic Magnet High School. I have since placed in several competitions, including Quest, USC Math Competition, and the National French Exam. I was 1st in my class of AP Chemistry and Honors Physics during my Junior year. I am a member of Mu Alpha Theta math club, vice president of the school's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a member of the National Honors Society, and the photographer for the school newspaper. I have done work in website development for a local company. I love to spend my time building robotic LEGO, and working on my car. Next year, I plan to attend university at either Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, or University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. I'm want to major in engineering, although I'm not certain yet which discipline. My thesis (that won this award) has received numerous awards, including a grade of "Highest Honors" which denotes graduate level work, 1st in category for written and 1st in category for oral presentation at SCJAS, recognition from several branches of the armed forces, 1st place in category and 2nd overall at Lowcountry Science and Engineering Fair, and advancement to International Science and Engineering Fair in Cleveland on May 11-17.

The South Carolina Junior Academy of Science (SCJAS) is a statewide organization whose goal is to stimulate, promote, and support interest in science and mathematics among middle and senior high school students. From its establishment in 1969, the SCJAS has grown in size and scope of its membership and currently has a paid membership of approximately 1,200 students representing 60 schools and 12 home school associations.  Colleges and universities provide administrative support for the day-to-day operation of the organization as well as judges, speakers, and facilities to host workshops and meetings. 

The SCJAS sponsors four major events each year: two workshops (fall and winter), and an annual meeting.  The SCJAS Fall and Winter Workshops offer lectures and lab demonstrations on current topics in science, "how to" sessions on research projects and presentations, challenge bowls, and Science Olympiad competitions.  In addition, the oratorical competition "Speaking of Science" allows students to investigate a current scientific question.  

Successfully completing a research project is an interdisciplinary process, requiring students to utilize and synthesize analytical and mathematical skills as well as writing and verbal skills.  The annual meeting provides a forum for students to present their research in both written and oral form.  Professional scientists from around the state judge the paper and oral presentations with around $10,000 a year are awarded in prizes.  

The SCJAS encourages all students and teachers to participate in fun and learning experience we provide throughout the state.  Schools are not required to be members of SCJAS to bring students to the Workshops or to observe at the annual meeting.  If you would like more information on SCJAS our web-site is http://www.erskine.edu/scjas/index.html.