(February 9, 2012) -- Last month, the Carbonators in marine science teacher Dominique Evans-Bye’s classes won $10,000 in the Air/Climate segment challenge. They are now preparing for the yet-to-be-revealed final contest in the Lexus Challenge. Seniors Yeprem Chavdarian, Adrian Hairapetian, Steve Kechichian, Anna Ladian, Dillen Maurer, Hrair Oganesyan, Edmond Petrosyan and Tevin Youn have been working together to find a solution to air pollution (smog) due to the use of fossil fuels in Los Angeles County.

Maurer has led the group to carry out their mission to find a solution to the county’s smog issue. Ladian has conducted research as the lead researcher, while Petrosyan has made sure the group has the necessary materials and information needed. Hairapetian and Youn perfected the Powerpoint presentation, which will be shown to Clark’s students and to other schools outside of the district. Oganesyan designed posters, some of which were displayed when the Marine Science class took a field trip to the Department of Public Works in Alhambra---where companies and colleges displayed their research---for Geographic Information System (GIS) Day. The Carbonators used Hazus software, which allows the group to map their research.

Using the GIS computer program, the team created maps to show their research. Research informed the team about how the smog is linked to asthma cases throughout California. The Carbonators’ very own Youn and Maurer will be presenting their senior projects in June about air contamination and ways to prevent or help reduce harmful chemicals in the atmosphere.

Their prize will be split equally among the Carbonators, their teacher and the school. Each member of the team will receive $875. “It was great planning to put the money toward something I need like a car or college funds,” said Ladian. Evans-Bye will receive $1,000, and Clark will receive $2,000 of the share.

As the team continues researching and preparing for the next round of the challenge, they plan to share their work with the rest of Clark’s staff, students, and with other schools. The team wishes to save their earnings for educational purposes and personal desires. Chavdarian will save for Occidental, Ladian and Maurer for UC Santa Barbara, Oganesyan and Kechichian for UC San Diego, Youn for UC Berkeley and Hairapetian for UCLA.