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2008 Finalists

Student Bios

Arizona - Megan Gleason
California - Shyamal Buch
Georgia - Mathew McGuthry
Hawaii - Jack Uesugi
Illinois - Avni Bavishi
Kansas - Margaret Botros
Minnesota - James Kruse
Missouri - Melissa Rey
New Jersey - Peter Ku
Pennsylvania - Michael Koehler

Teacher Bios

California - Steven Latshaw
Florida - Lania Rosengren
Pennsylvania - Philip Pack
South Dakota - Paul Kuhlman
West Virginia - Edward Evans
 


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Arizona - Megan Gleason
2008 Finalist
Age: 11
Hometown: Tucson
School: St. Michael's Parish Day School
Grade: 6
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I like learning about the world around me, and I love hands on activities.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I enjoy tumbling, singing, and swimming.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I want to be a chef. I like working with food, it's creative and challenging to come up with new dishes. I would like to be a head chef of my own restaurant.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: It is a tie between Science and Physical Education
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California - Shyamal Buch
2008 Finalist
Age: 12
Hometown: Folsom
School: Folsom Middle School
Grade: 7
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I like science because of all the applications it has to real life, and how scientists make discoveries that revolutionize the world. The subject itself is endless. Scientists ask a question and explore it. What they find out may stir up some other questions, which are then explored further. It's an endless chain reaction.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: As a Boy Scout I enjoy camping and hiking, and I learned community service. I play the violin in the orchestra at school. Participating in the video club gave me confidence to face the camera. I am active in Tae Kwon Do, Robotics, History Day, and Science Fairs.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I have not made up my mind yet. I may someday work in the field of nanotechnology. I like nanotechnology because it works with the building blocks of things - atoms and molecules. It also combines different areas of science, like biology, physics, and chemistry. Nanotechnology can help to solve many problems - from providing clean energy to curing cancer.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Science and math are my favorite subjects, although really I like all the subjects.
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Georgia - Mathew McGuthry
2008 Finalist
Age: 13
Hometown: Richmond Hill
School: Home-school
Grade: 7
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: The fact that there are so many things about science that are not yet discovered makes me want to be involved in the search. It is so mysterious. New discoveries are made all the time and any of these new findings could completely change the world.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I enjoy skateboarding, playing the piano, creating 3D animations, and reading. They all help me relax and they also give me something productive to work on in my free time.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: There are so many careers available, it would be hard to choose just one I would like; for now, I think that I would like to be an inventor. I think it would be awesome to create something that would really make the world a better place.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Science
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Hawaii - Jack Uesugi
2008 Finalist
Age: 13
Hometown: Wahiawa
School: Island Pacific Academy
Grade: 7
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I really like animal sciences and biology. Everything has to do with science and it can answer any question you have about the world.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: My hobbies and extra curricular activities are: golfing, drums, starting businesses/making money, fishing & camping, hydroponics, cooking/baking.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I'm not sure what career I want to pursue, but I want to have my own business.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: My favorite school subject is Humanities. I like learning about history and other cultures.
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Illinois - Avni Bavishi
2008 Finalist
Age: 13
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
School: Mead Jr. High School
Grade: 8
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I love science because new things are constantly being discovered, and theories are constantly challenged. Science is always changing, which makes it so interesting.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: In my free time, I usually pick up a book and start reading. My favorite genres are fantasy / sci-fi. Reading really appeals to me because it allows for imagination and new ideas to develop. The extra curricular activity I enjoy the most is Science Olympiad. Last year was my first year doing it, and I found it was a lot of fun. I did 4 events last year, Oceanography, Bio-Process Lab, Write It, Do It, and Science Crimebusters. I'm hoping to do it again this year. Another activity I enjoy is tennis. I have practice most days and matches once a week. I also play in the neighborhood park with friends and my brother.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I am aspiring for a career in medicine because it has a very high reward. Being able to save lives daily would mean so much to me.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Science
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Kansas - Margaret Botros
2008 Finalist
Age: 13
Hometown: Wichita
School: Homeschool
Grade: 7
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: The thing I like most about science is how it makes you think about things you encounter every day. Photosynthesis for example: I've learned since pre-school that plants make their own food with sunlight, water, and air, but it was only this summer in Biology class when I learned about the Calvin cycle, light dependent and independent reactions, and cellular respiration, that I really started to think about it, and I found it totally fascinating!
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I love running Brownie Girl Scout meetings. I can be crazy and wear costumes and have fun, and the Brownies love it!
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I always change my mind about what career I want to pursue because I find so many careers interesting. This summer, I went to Johnson Space Center in Houston with my future Astronaut Training Program camp, and one area I found especially interesting was the Test Support Equipment room. Also, in the studying I've done for this competition, I've read a lot about astrobiology, and that seems really cool as well.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Biology
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Minnesota - James Kruse
2008 Finalist
Age: 13
Hometown: New Brighton
School: St John the Baptist
Grade: 7
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: This is a tough question. I like everything about science, whether it is paleontology, archeology, astronomy, engineering and all other disciplines of science. There is a certain excitement associated with new discoveries and just the process of learning.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: Some of the hobbies and extra curricular activities that I enjoy are fossil collecting, building Lego's and programming Lego Mindstorms and Lego Mindstorms NXT, astronomy, downhill skiing especially moguls and ski racing, slalom water skiing, baseball, track and field, and basketball. I enjoy them because they are all fun and different.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I would like to pursue a career in Paleontology and Genetics because I want to bioengineer a living dinosaur. When I grow up I want to be a paleontologist and the fastest man in the world. I want to be faster than Usain Bolt so I can out run the dinosaurs that I create.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Science
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Missouri - Melissa Rey
2008 Finalist
Age: 14
Hometown: Chesterfield
School: Parkway Central Middle
Grade: 8
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: Science and sports fascinate me for the same reason. Both are the ultimate challenges because I never reach the finish line. Any time I master a sports skill or learn a new science concept, I am motivated to know more and to get even better. Whenever I solve a scientific problem, I can think of a dozen more questions about where to go next. Science questions are the most exciting because I have the chance to think of something that no one else has thought of before and I have the opportunity to make a new discovery that could change the world.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I love sports because I am always being physically and mentally challenged. I have played soccer since kindergarten. The positions I play are forward and midfield. Mia Hamm is my sports idol. She is the best soccer player ever because of her drive to become even better when she was already the finest player in the world. This is also my 4th year playing lacrosse and running track.
I love performing! It is so exciting to be on stage. I have acted in school and community plays. My favorite role was Alice in "Alice in Wonderland" because Alice had so many emotions on stage. She was funny, silly, and even sad at times. I have been on my school's Speech Team for the past 4 years. Since 6th grade I have been a member of the St. Louis Junior Academy of Science. The Junior Academy has terrific field trips like a tour of the greenest building in the world. I volunteer for the Junior Academy by giving talks to grade school and middle school students to get them excited about science. I also give talks for the Greater St. Louis Science Fair on how to set up and run an experiment.
I play electric and acoustic guitar. I have been taking lessons since 5th grade. I will be playing in my high school Jazz Band this year. I have a lucky guitar pick that I will be bringing with me to Washington D.C. in October.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I don't want just one career. I want to become an astronaut and I also want to use my performing skills to interest kids in science. I dream of becoming an astronaut and of looking down at the world from space. I would like to bring a soccer ball on the surface of Mars. It would also be amazing to be on a TV show where I could talk about life in space and get kids interested in becoming scientists.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: My favorite school subject is Math because you can learn the rules and then apply them to almost everything.
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New Jersey - Peter Ku
2008 Finalist
Age: 13
Hometown: Princeton Junction
School: Grover Middle School
Grade: 5
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: It helps me answer many questions that intrigue me.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: Tennis (USTA), Bridge (ACBL), Scrabble, Ping-Pong, Math Club (Math Counts, AMC10, AIME), Science Club (Science Olympiad, Science Bowl), Orchestra (Cello)
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: Medicine - so I can help others
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Math
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Pennsylvania - Michael Koehler
2008 Finalist
Age: 15
Hometown: Allison Park
School: Hampton Middle School
Grade: 8
Video: Click Here
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: My main interest in science is in physics and chemistry.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I enjoy flying remote control airplanes because I find it fascinating how a heavier than air object is capable of remaining airborne. I also like the challenge of flying the aircraft and enjoy doing stunts and testing the limits of the airplane's physical strength.
I regularly volunteer at the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum helping to build the scenery and lay the track. I also volunteer during their annual show and help keep the trains running smoothly by repairing derailments and swapping out trains. Trains have been something I have loved since I was very little. I have played the violin for 5 years. I especially enjoy improvising music because that is a way to express how I feel.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I'm not really sure what I want to do for my career at this point, but I think I might like to be an aeronautics engineer or an aircraft crash scientist. I might want to be an aeronautics engineer because I'm fascinated by the science of flight. I am interested in being an aircraft crash scientist because I think it would be interesting to analyze how different structural components of the aircraft are affected under sudden impacts, and by observing how these parts are damaged, I could design ways to make them safer.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Science class and Introduction to Transportation class
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California - Steven Latshaw (Teacher Finalist)
2008 Finalist
Hometown: Westlake Village
School: Westlake Hills
Grade: 5
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: It is difficult to say exactly what made me pursue teaching. After graduating from college a friend of my mother's suggested that I try it for a while, and now, after 38 years, I have decided to stick with it.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: One of my favorite lessons is the one that was recorded for the Science Challenge on momentum. Another is a lesson where students use rubber band launchers I made to calculate distance and degrees of projectory and then participate in a challenge to "hit" a hula hoop fifteen feet away on the floor. Another favorite one is having the students build "Rube Goldberg" marble rolls to turn on an electric buzzer they wired to a circuit.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: Science fascinates me because, as a tool, it has improved people's ability to live longer and enjoy their lives. As a subject to teach, it fascinates me because it allows me to capture the natural curiosity of the students and gives them the opportunity to learn concepts by participating rather than just reading articles.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: What hobbies do I have? I enjoy tennis, bicycling, and snow skiing. In addition, I enjoy wood working and have built a variety of cabinets in my house. All of these things keep me physically active.
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Florida - Lania Rosengren (Teacher Finalist)
2008 Finalist
Hometown: Melbourn
School: Florida Air Academy
Grade: 8
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I really admired the teachers that I have had because I knew it was a challenging career. Observing them on a daily basis and learning from them really made me want to teach. Some teachers would even let me teach something to the class and I loved it! Then after high school, I was chosen as a Golden Apple Scholar where I learned from Golden Apple Award winning teachers. It made my decision to be an educator even more exciting. I wanted to share my love of learning with others in the hopes that I could help them enjoy learning as well.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: My favorite experiments and lessons are ones where students' reactions are priceless! I love watching their faces and expressions when I can WOW them. I try to entertain as well when I perform science lessons. If I can grasp their attention WOWing them, I know it's a good one! One of my favorites is the potato candle. I intro this as an observation lesson for the scientific method. I tell the students to write as many observations as they can while watching "the candle" burn. I say, "Now the highest number is 30, so try to come up with more than 30!" After discussing their observations, I say, "those were really great observations, but did you observe thisÂ…and I take a bite out of the raw potato (an almond slice as the wick). They freak out!! "Oh my gosh you just ate a candle!" It is great! Then I explain how they have to use all their senses. Of course, they should not eat anything, but they usually do not get close to the candle to touch (see if it is wax), or waft, etc. After that, they are REALLY good at using their senses during labs!
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I absolutely love learning about science! One of my favorite television shows has to be The Big Bang Theory. I laugh so hard and perhaps it's because I can relate to the characters, but I really do learn from things that are presented in such an entertaining way and I think science has always been presented to me with entertainment. My science teachers were like magicians and always kept me wondering. I even made my high school physics teacher miss a State level football game because I wanted to stay back in class to learn something new from him. He kept things so interesting and fun, I didn't want to miss anything! I look back now and feel bad, but it was only because I loved the class so much! Sorry Mr. Dietz!
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: I enjoy teaching hip hop at a gym, running (I've ran 2 marathons), acting (my mom owns a talent agency in Chicago), so I have grown up doing shows, commercials, movies, etc.
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Pennsylvania - Philip Pack (Teacher Finalist)
2008 Finalist
Hometown: N/A
School: Wyoming Valley West Middle school
Grade: 7
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I decided to pursue a teaching career because I enjoy sharing knowledge and getting people to like and understand science.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: My favorite science lesson is one I perform with dry ice. I shoot corks out of bottles, blow bubbles and use indicators to change colors. The looks on my student's faces as I do my tricks makes all the work worthwhile.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: The most fascinating thing about science is that the more you learn about the universe, the more miraculous it all seems to be.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Collect fossils as a hobby. Painting helps me relax.
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South Dakota - Paul Kuhlman (Teacher Finalist)
2008 Finalist
Hometown: Avon
School: Avon High School
Grade: 10
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I coached youth baseball in the summer and found it a very enjoyable experience. This helped lead me to a teaching career. Once I taught a few sample lessons in my first education classes, I knew teaching was something I really wanted to do.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: One lesson I like to teach is the concept of air pressure. There are many demonstrations and experiments that go with this topic and it is a topic that students can relate to their everyday lives.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I like that science uses a systematic process to solve an unknown question. This is the part I like best about doing science fair projects. Students pick a question, for which they do not know the answer, and then need to come up with an experiment to answer the question.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: I enjoy walking/riding bicycle as a form of exercise. I also enjoy working in my flower and vegetable gardens as well as watching/attending sporting events and concerts.
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West Virginia - Edward Evans (Teacher Finalist)
2008 Finalist
Hometown: Welch
School: Mount View 6-12 School
Grade: 8
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: I have always loved science. I was always exposed to science in scouting. I had a great junior high as well as high school teacher that was a big influence on me.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I love to do star lab presentations for students; however my favorite lesson is to blow up gummy bears in class, for my students. I use it as a demo for exothermic reactions.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I love all aspects of science. I consider myself a physical scientist trapped in a Biology degree. I really enjoy astronomy and meteorology. I hope one day to see a total solar eclipse and to report with Jim Cantory from the weather channel, as a hurricane makes landfall. Imagine the professional development session that would be.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: I have been in scouting for 40 years. I love camping and all that goes with it. I collect Boy Scout patches. I am a former member of the executive board of the local scout council and hold the rank of Eagle Scout. I also collect scrip from old coal mining companies in West Virginia. I coach high school softball and broadcast high school football for WELC radio. I put on the Prom for our middle school. Finally, I am an extra class ham radio operator.