Students win Franklin Mineral Museum awards

Franklin - Five area students were recent winners of the Franklin Mineral Museum’s 2009 “Future Scientist Award.” “Future Scientist Awards” are given to students who have been selected by their school’s science coordinator as either the winner of their school’s Science Fair or for the student’s excellence in science, museum officials said. Students represent these elementary schools: Hamburg, Hardyston, Franklin, Immaculate Conception and Ogdensburg. Most miners who worked in the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines would have lived in these schools’ towns. Winners and their projects are: Franklin: Kodie Hilbert, “Batteries vs. Temperature” Hamburg Elementary: Ashley Yuen, excellence in science Hardyston Elementary: Edward Freisinger, excellence in science Immaculate Conception Regional School: Kevin Good, excellence in science Ogdensburg Elementary: Team of Mike Astor and John Fierro, “The Effects of CO2 on Plant Growth” The Museum also awarded a $500 scholarship to a Wallkill Valley Regional High School graduating senior Justin Krasnomowitz. The high school scholarship committee selected a student who demonstrated excellence in science throughout their high school career and also supported their community. Krasnomowitz plans to attend DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. as a biochemistry major. His sister Courtney won at the elementary school level last year. The museum provided each student or team a “Future Scientist Award” certificate and $100. They and their families were honored guests at the Museum’s Annual “Miner’s Day” celebration.