ATLANTA--Youthful scientists analyzed the ability of a computer to project NBA champions and the effect of gases on the path of a projectile as they participated in the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools Science Fair.

The competition was held at St. Pius X High School Feb. 23, under the auspices of the archdiocesan school system. Thirty-one students will advance to state competition at the University of Georgia in April.

The fair consisted of a junior division for seventh- and eighth-grade students and a senior division for high school students. The 280 exhibits on display had previously received a first- or second-place award at their school's independent competition to advance to this regional competition.

Karen Spardello from Our Lady of Assumption School, Atlanta, Asha Sethi from St. Thomas More School, Decatur, and Charlotte Vogel from St. Pius X High School coordinated the regional competition.

Andrew Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, presented the winners with trophies and medals.

The following Catholic elementary school students received first-place awards for their efforts in the junior division: Matt Hartman, Christ the King, botany; Vanessa Faraj, St. Thomas More, biochemistry; Karen Stanley, St. John the Evangelist, chemistry; Mary Beth Roberts, St. Joseph, Marietta, chemistry; Paul Warner, St. Joseph, Marietta, computer sciences; Melissa Foster, St. Joseph, Marietta, earth and space sciences; Stephanie Salois, St. Joseph, Marietta, earth and space sciences; Matthew Smith, Christ the King, engineering; Rebecca Fink, St. Joseph, Marietta, environmental sciences; Carrie Beck, Immaculate Heart of Mary, environmental sciences; Faith Bachner-Reimer, Immaculate Heart of Mary, medicine and health; Lucas Graf, Our Lady of the Assumption, medicine and health; Ryan Johnson, Immaculate Heart of Mary, microbiology; Lisa Rast, St. John the Evangelist, mathematics; Elizabeth Cannella, Immaculate Heart of Mary, mathematics; Elizabeth Diehl, Christ the King, physics; Dana Forand, Christ the King, physics; Amanda Kloer and Mary Tanory, St. Thomas More, team projects; Edward Villaneuva and Shimby McCreery, St. Thomas More, team projects and Elinore Faustino and Julie Conner, St. John Neumann Regional School, team projects.

The following Catholic high school students received first-place awards for their projects in the senior division: Whitney Lee, St. Pius X High School, botany; Joseph Hooper, St. Pius X High School, computer sciences; Helen Markewich, St. Pius X High School, environmental sciences and Adam Carlson, St. Pius X High School, environmental sciences.