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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='color:#1F497D'>On Behalf of the School of Plant Sciences Outreach and Recruitment Committee:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>To view pictures from the event, please go to this secured website: </span><span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="https://plsweb.cals.arizona.edu/pls-outreach/outreach.htm">https://plsweb.cals.arizona.edu/pls-outreach/outreach.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The School of Plant Sciences Outreach and Recruitment Committee would like to share the results of a recent outreach event in which our school participated in our ongoing effort to encourage middle school and high school kids’ interest in plant and microbial sciences.<br><br>Eight volunteers from our school (<b>Ravi Palanivelu, David Rhoads, Joe Cicero, Paul Sanchez, John Laurie, and three undergraduate students: Evan LaBrant, Jennifer Sepulveda, and Salika Dunatunga</b>) judged science fair projects on behalf of our school at the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF, <u><span style='color:blue'><a href="http://www.sarsef.org">http:www.sarsef.org</a></span></u>) in the Tucson Convention Center on March 13, 2012.<br><br>1. Out of <b>585 </b>middle school projects, <b>97 </b>were plant sciences/microbiology-themed projects. Of these, we chose <b>6 </b>winners (first, second, third, and three honorable mentions) were awarded with a framed certificate from our school on Friday.<br><br>2. Out of <b>185 </b>high school projects, <b>26 </b>were plant sciences/microbiology-themed projects. Of these, we chose <b>3 </b>winners were awarded with a framed certificate from our school on Friday. The second place winner was Amber Ross, who completed her science fair project in Betsy Arnold’s lab; Congratulations Betsy! <br><br>On Friday, we addressed the gathering, mentioned the mission of our school, explained the importance of plant and microbial sciences in our lives, and handed out certificates/awards at the Tucson Convention Center. A set of photos of the event and award ceremony are included along with copies of the certificates awarded.<br><br>We want to thank so many of the school faculty, staff and students who supported our efforts and created a very positive and visible face for our school.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><br>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Outreach and Recruitment Committee</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>