Nine Austin students from one middle school and two high schools have been chosen as finalists in the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair, held recently in San Antonio.

The students, their category and division, and awards are as follows:

• Valerie Vines, a student for Murchison Middle School, earned an Office of Naval Research Award in the environmental management category
• Jeff Auster, a student from Murchison, earned a fifth-place and an Office of Naval Research Award in the energy and transportation category
• Jared Stults, a student at Bowie High School, earned a fourth-place award in the animal sciences category
• Anastasia Kulikova, a student at Bowie High School, earned a third-place award in the biochemistry category
• Connor McLauchlan and Walter Torres, both students at Anderson High School, earned a third-place award for their team effort in the chemistry category.
• Nathan Timmerman, a student at Bowie High School, earned a third-place award and an Office of Naval Research Award in the electrical engineering category
• Alex Crisara and Jahan Rabii, both students at Anderson High School, earned a third-place award and an American Meteorological Society, a National Space Society, and a U.S. Army Award for their team effort in the Engineering: Materials category.

The ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair is an annual science competition for students in grades 6-12. The Fair provides an opportunity for discourse among like-minded, high-achieving middle and high school students across Texas.

In addition to these awards, students Alex Crisara and Jahan Rabii of Anderson, Blaine Oldham of Bowie, and Mark Sands and Calvin Ling of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy at LBJ High School will advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles May 8-13.