For the First time in History,
Incarcerated Youth Wins
Arizona Science and Engineering Fair

BUCKEYE – May 5, 2008 – For the first time in more than 50 years, an incarcerated youth has won the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair.  Now he will advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Ga. during the second week in May. 

Oscar, a 15-year-old incarcerated youth at the Department of Juvenile Corrections’ Eagle Point School in Buckeye, won awards from the Navy and Air Force as well as winning first place in his division and the grand prize. 

Oscar’s project, titled “The Search for Habitable Extraterrestrial Worlds among the Stars,” evaluated the known extra solar planets in an attempt to determine which of the planets or their moons might be capable of supporting life.

Considering Oscar's history, this is a success story of incredible magnitude. Ken Zeigler, Oscar’s teacher at Eagle Point commented: “Some in the public might think that we are just housing juvenile offenders until they are ready for the adult system.  They don't realize what we are really trying to accomplish here.

“These kids have known a completely different world, one of gangs and violence.  We take them beyond that. Here, we can study the universe…” 

In addition to Oscar’s history-making victory, a team of two other incarcerated Arizona juveniles won the Aeronautics and Astronautics award.