America's Top 40 Middle School Scientists to Face Off in The Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge

9/17/2003

From: Danielle Mackey, 202-452-9480 or Danielle.Mackey@ogilvypr.com, or Kelly Connolly, 202-452-9508 or Kelly.Connolly@ogilvypr.com, both of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 17 -- The nation's top 40 middle school scientists today were notified that they have advanced to the finals of the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC), the nation's premiere science contest for students grades 5-8. Representing 16 states, the finalists are now gearing up to fly to Washington, D.C., to compete for the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year."

Discovery Communications, Inc. launched the competition in partnership with Science Service to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. Now in its fifth year, the DCYSC recognizes the children who demonstrate the best leadership, teamwork, communication and scientific problem solving skills.

"There is no better way to encourage our young people's interest in science than events like the Discovery Channel Young Scientists Challenge, which rewards creativity and imagination, while helping students develop other valuable communications skills they will rely on for their entire lives," said Judith A. McHale, President and COO of Discovery Communications, Inc.

The High-Flying Final Exam

During the competition, the 40 finalists will be judged in a rigorous two-day series of team-based experiments. In celebration of 100 years of flight, the DCYSC will feature challenges that reflect aspects of the evolution of air travel, including wing dynamics, fuel efficiency, air speed and aerospace. Rocket cars, spy copters and gliders will play a role in this year's kid-thrilling science competition, which will be taped for broadcast on The Discovery Channel.

"The Wright Brothers were the same age as our forty finalists when they first began experimenting with flight," said Program Director Kyle O'Connor. "To create an authentic experience, we have designed a series of experiments that will make our students feel like they are facing the same challenges the Wright Brothers did in their bike shop back in Dayton."

The students will compete for more than $100,000 worth of scholarships and special prizes, as well as the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year."

The Finalists

The finalists represent 16 states, including Arizona (3), California (8), Florida (5), Georgia (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), New Mexico (2), New York (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (5), Utah (4), West Virginia (1) and Wyoming (1).

The finalists were chosen based upon the excellence of their projects presented at local Science Service-affiliated science fairs across the country. During the DCYSC finals, the kids will present their research projects to judges to demonstrate their communications skills and creative thinking. Descriptions of the finalists' projects are available at www.discovery.com/dcysc.

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Editor's Note: Bios and interviews with the finalists are available upon request.

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About the Competition

In 1999, Discovery created the DCYSC to be a part of the solution to America's chronic underachievement in science and math.

The contest responds to evidence that academic performance and interest in science among American students declines dramatically as students get older -- particularly during the middle school years.

The DCYSC identifies and honors America's top middle school student who demonstrates the best skills in leadership, teamwork and scientific problem solving. In addition, the ability to be an effective science communicator -- a goal that reflects Discovery's philosophy that scientific knowledge is most valuable when it is communicated and shared -- is a key component of the judging.

More than 6,000 children have entered the DCYSC since its inception. Winners have received more than $400,000 in scholarship awards, federal government recognition and participated in science-related trips that have taken them to the far corners of the globe.

The DCYSC is proud to announce GMC and Leapfrog as distinguished sponsors.

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Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 155 countries and territories with over 950 million cumulative subscribers. DCI's 33 networks of distinctive programming represent 14 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Discovery Wings Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery en Espaqol, HD Theater and The Health Network. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery.com and 138 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder, Chairman and CEO.

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Science Service administers the DCYSC. One of the most respected non-profit organizations advancing the cause of science, Science Service has a sterling reputation for conducting high-quality competitions on the national and international level, including the Intel Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Science Service in a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs.

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State-by-State Listing of DCYSC Finalists

-- Tempe, AZ. Jeffrey Luttrell, "Do Dogs Make a Difference?"

-- Tucson, AZ. David Edwards V, "Which Enzyme Works Best to Reduce Grease in a Grease Trap? Liquid or Solid?"

-- Tucson, AZ. Tyler Kirkland, "Which Enzyme Works Best to Reduce Grease in a Grease Trap? Liquid or Solid?"

-- Bakersfield, CA. Justin Koh, "Aspirin: How Much is Too Much? Creating an In Vitro Model to Determine Minimum Daily Aspirin Dosage (MDAD) for Anticoagulation Purposes"

-- Costa Mesa, CA. Taylor Simpkins, "Industries' Foul Little Secret: Pre-production Plastics Found on Beaches Come Directly from Industrial Sources"

-- Del Mar, CA. Jacob Rucker, "Quantifying the Effect of Skyglow on the Visibility of Stars"

-- Laguna Niguel, CA. Bobby Fisher, "The Effect of Water Temperature on the Color of Fish"

-- Newbury Park, CA. Patrick Saris, "Positive Effects of Turbulence on Wind Turbines"

-- Redlands, CA. John Reid, "The Effect of Biuret and Urea Fertilizer on Citrus Leaf Necrosis and Growth"

-- San Carlos, CA. Samantha Bates, "Do Mutations in the GAG Gene Impact the Ability of HIV-I to Kill T-Cells?"

-- Woodside, CA. Dana Feeny, "The Receding Night: The Effect of Artificial Light on the Migration Pattern of Daphnia"

-- Fort Myers, FL. Scott Presbrey, "The Response of Gerontology and Non-gerontology Populations to Caffeinated Coffee"

-- Fort Myers, FL. Peter Borden, "The Effect of Heem Oil on the Ochlerotatus Taeniorhychus Mosquito: An Effective and Environmentally-sound Approach to Mosquito Control"

-- Gainesville, FL. Sravya Keremane, "Cloning a Cold Tolerance Gene in Agrobacterium for Citrus Transformation"

-- Miami, FL. Bryan Yancey, "The Effectiveness of Caffeine as a Pesticide Against South Florida Snails (Bulimulus Guadalupensis)"

-- West Palm Beach, FL. Sarah Gerin, "The Impact of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Orb Weaving Spiders"

-- Watkinsville, GA. Joseph Stunzi, "The Effects of Cell Phones on Pacemaker Patients' Hearts"

-- Terre Haute, IN. Bryce Melton, "SPF: Some is Good, But More is Better"

-- Derwood, MD. Anthony Burnetti, "Effects of Multi-tasking and Aging on Driving Ability: How Should Drivers be Screened?

-- Kansas City, MO. Ethan Roth, "Up With Math: Direction Matters"

-- Lee's Summit, MO. Austin Minor, "A Colorful Solution to Paint Recycling"

-- Weston, MO. Elena Ovaitt, "Purification by Ozonation: Effects of Ozonation on Ascorbic Acid and Bacteria Colonies in Unpasteurized Apple Cider"

-- Albuquerque, NM. Leah Crowder, "The Effect of Bosque Fires on Saltcedar Growth"

-- Albuquerque, NM. Rachel Clements, "The Effect of Bosque Fires on Saltcedar Growth"

-- Atlantic Beach, NY. Michael Klein, "A Study of the Effects of Object Recognition on Vision Testing Results"

-- Hamilton, OH. Ryan Lee, "How Does the Angle of Attack Affect Lift?"

-- Upper Arlington, OH. Bogna Brzezinska, "Robocrops: Precision Agriculture"

-- Pittsburgh, PA. Lorren Kezmoh, "Frog Formation Station"

-- Oak Ridge, TN. Katie Sloop, "A Honey of a Question: Fall Nectar Sources in East Tennessee"

-- Boerne, TX. Elizabeth Monier, "A Comparison of the Antimicrobial Capabilities of Raw Honey and Raw Honey Which Has Been Treated with Heat, Ethanol or Ultraviolet Radiation"

-- El Paso, TX. Michael Montelongo, "Recycling Dryer Lint: Effects on Plant Growth and Soil"

-- San Antonio, TX. Aron Trevino, "Could Soap Companies' Advertising be Making You Sick?"

-- San Antonio, TX. Luis Lafer-Sousa, "The Effect of Active Metals in Cosmetic Products on Protein Aggregation: Implications for Human Disease"

-- San Antonio, TX. Daniel Steck, "Wind Power"

-- Alpine, UT. Ryker Watts, "Nuts and the Dark Side of Oxygen"

-- Clearfield, UT. Ian Cummings, "Who Penned the Bard?"

-- Highland, UT. Zachary Hopkins, "Nuts and the Dark Side of Oxygen"

-- Springville, UT. Spencer Larson, "Stomata Count Differences of Selected Coniferous Trees"

-- Wheeling, WV. Jennifer Gutman, "A Study of Arsenic Levels in Plants in Contaminated Soil"

-- Pinedale, WY. Erica David, "Get the Drift! Year 2: The Effect of Snow Fence Variables on Wind Pattern and Speed, and Snow Drift Geometry and Volume"