Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge
The following North Carolina students are among 400 semifinalists in the US in the Young Scientist Challenge for 2007. In October , 40 finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC for the competition finals, consisting of a series of team challenges and oral presentations. The winners receive scholarships and semifinalists receive prizes.
Kelly Dickie, Swansboro, NC
Swansboro Middle School, 8th grade
Blinded by the Light
Matthew Miller, Elon College, NC
Western Middle School, 8th grade
Go with the Flow Analysis of Submarine Hull Designs in a Closed System Test Tank
Christian Ryckeley, Clarkton, NC
Clarkton School of Discovery, 7th grade
The Gravity of Electricity
Nicole Shaw, Mount Airy, NC
Jones Elementary School, 5th grade
Sick Shopping Carts
These students are among the 400 selected from across the country. This past spring, tens of thousands of students in grades 5 through 8 competed in Science Service-affiliated science fairs. Winners at those fairs were then nominated to enter their projects in the 2007 DCYSC. From this outstanding pool of students, DCYSC judges selected 400 talented semifinalists based on the scientific merit of their work and their ability to communicate the science of their projects. Among these amazing entries, 40 finalists will be chosen to come to Washington, DC in October to compete in the finals. Stay tuned...finalists will be announced in September!
The Finals
The 40 finalists come to Washington, DC for a week in October. Each day students working in teams participate in different "challenges" developed and administered by Steve Jacobs, science educator and creator of "Jake's Attic." Each age-appropriate challenge concentrates on a different discipline of science. Many of the activities take place at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. While working in teams, finalists are judged on communication and leadership, as well as scientific problem solving. The finalists then present their original science fair project to the judges and other finalists. Contest winners are be selected on the basis of scores developed in Washington, DC from their oral presentations (30%) and their participation in the team challenges (70%).
Prizes
At the nominee stage, students receive:
- Lapel pins
- Certificates
- Students who complete an entry booklet will receive a T-shirt.
At the semi-finalist stage, students receive:
- Certificate of recognition
- A small prize
- Small teacher prizes
At the finalist stage in Washington, DC, students receive:
- Trip to Washington, DC with all the trimmings
- Special Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge shirt
- $50 gift certificate valid at any Discovery Channel Store, Discovery Channel Catalog, or discoverystore.com. (also valid at any The Nature Company Store or The Nature Company catalog)
- Chance to appear on television
- Plaque for the student's teacher
- Plaque for the student's middle school
- The Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge medal
Updated 2/3/08