Discovery Names 'America's Top Young Scientist of the Year'

10/23/2002

From: Christy Lynn Wilson, 202-667-0901 or christylynn.wilson@widmeyer.com Patricia Lute, 301-771-5188 or patricia(underscore)[email protected]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Discovery Communications, Inc. and Science Service today awarded the winners in the 4th annual Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC), the nation's premier science competition for middle school students.

Christine Haas, 14, of Clovis, CA, was awarded a $15,000 scholarship and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year." She also won a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the set of Paramount Pictures' "Star Trek: Enterprise" television series in Hollywood, CA.

Christine won first place for her original science project "The Effects of a Natural Poison on Mosquito Development: Year III," as well as for the skills she demonstrated during this week's DCYSC National Competition, specifically her leadership, teamwork, scientific problem solving, critical thinking, and oral and written communication skills. In her project, Christine wanted to create a natural mosquito poison since residents of her hometown contend with serious mosquito problems but refuse to use chemical deterrents for fear of harming their livestock. Christine developed a natural poison from the buckeye plant and found that it had a negative effect on mosquito development. Christine said she hopes to become a veterinarian "because it is rewarding to help sick or injured animals."

As part of the DCYSC National Competition, Christine worked on the "Washington, D.C. Emergency Management Agency Challenge." While working in the Agency's Command Center, Christine and her team were presented with a mock crisis situation: a hurricane advancing on the region coupled with a rumor of a terrorist incident. Using available resources, the team determined the most rapid and appropriate response to the developing situation. They also created a disaster preparedness questionnaire and interviewed the general public to determine to what extent the general population has developed either a personal or statewide preparedness plan.

Kurt Dahlstrom, 14, of Hillsboro, ND, won the second place prize - a $7,500 scholarship - for his project titled "Effects of Road De-icers on Vegetation and Water Quality." As part of the DCYSC National Competition, Kurt participated in the "Challenger Center" science challenge. He and his team plotted the current location of NASA's Voyager I space probe on an outdoor scale model of the solar system located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and made a permanent landmark designation point on the scale model relating to Voyager's position.

Adam Quade, 14, of New Brighton, MN, won the third place prize - a $3,750 scholarship - for his project titled, "Effect of Topical Fluoride Treatments on the In-Vitro Erosion of Enamel by Sweetened Beverages." As part of the DCYSC National Competition, Adam worked on the "Rock Creek Park Environmental Challenge." Adam and his team adopted the role of park rangers for a day and identified certain species of macro-invertebrates and performed several tests to determine the level of pollutants in Rock Creek. All finalists received a DCYSC medal, and those who ranked from fourth to 40th place received a $500.00 cash prize.

Renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson joined DCI President and COO Judith A. McHale in honoring the DCYSC winners in an awards ceremony held today at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C.

"The spirit of curiosity is at the core of the Discovery mission, and Christine Haas and the other finalists embody that spirit," said Judith A. McHale, President and Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Communications, Inc. "Through this contest, we are nurturing the next generation of scientists whom we will look to in the future to develop ways to safeguard our environment, cure diseases and secure our homeland. We are proud to give them this opportunity to demonstrate their immense talents and recognize them in a meaningful and public way."

The following eight special prizes were awarded to DCYSC finalists who excel in specific science disciplines and demonstrated particular skills during the National Competition:

-- Discovery Channel "Enthusiasm for Discovery" Team Award: The DCYSC finalists competed in eight teams of five students each during the week. The top three teams competed today in a final team challenge immediately prior to the top awards announcement. The "Tossed Salad Extreme Challenge," related to Newton's Law of Motion, involved each team tossing large fruits and vegetables through a shredding device and determining the optimum method for catching the largest amount. The winning team was awarded the Discovery Channel "Enthusiasm for Discovery" Team Award. The team will travel to the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD to witness an archaeological excavation. The winning DCYSC team exemplifies good teamwork, excellent communication skills, patience, courtesy, conflict management skills, cooperation and the ability to quickly develop effective problem solving strategies.

-- Animal Planet "Emergency Vet" Award: Russell Burrows, 14, of San Antonio, TX, won a trip to Denver, Colorado for an experience as an "Emergency Vet" at the Alameda East Veterinary Hospital, site of Animal Planet's hit television series, "Emergency Vets". This award goes to the finalist who demonstrates a continued and consistent interest in living things and systems.

-- Discovery Health Channel "Medical Science" Award: Emily Willis, 14, of Heber City, UT, will attend a special science camp at Vanderbilt University. Emily will perform hands-on experiments in biology, chemistry and physics. This award goes to the finalist that demonstrates skill and appreciation for precision and accuracy in their physical work and analytical technique.

-- Discovery Science Channel "Space Camp" Award: Asmita Kumar, 14, of Goleta, CA, won the opportunity to attend a five day camp in the Summer of 2003 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Asmita will choose between young adult programs at either the Space Academy or the Aviation Challenge. She will have the opportunity to either fly a simulated mission on the Space Shuttle or train like a fighter pilot. This award recognizes the finalist who best characterizes a dedication and enthusiasm for discovery and whose work displays originality of thought and understanding.

-- TLC "Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Camp" Award: Kels Phelps, 14, of Butte, MT, will travel to Osh Kosh, WI to participate in an aviation camp, which may include on-the-ground activities, an actual flight simulation, and an in-the-air experience. This award recognizes the finalist who displays a consistent pattern of hard work and tenacity towards solving problems.

-- Travel Channel "Dream Science Trip" Award: Roy James (R.J.) Gross, 15, of Lansdale, PA, won his "dream science trip" fulfilled by the Travel Channel. To be considered for this prize, finalists wrote an essay of 250 words or less beginning with the phrase, "My dream science trip would be..." R.J.'s dream science trip will take him to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA.

-- Department of Commerce Award for Youth Technology: Kory Vencill, 14, of Grants Pass, OR, was awarded the Youth Technology Award and the opportunity to return to Washington, D.C. to meet the 2002 National Medal of Technology Laureates, the nation's major technology achievers honored each year by the President of the United States. Kory will participate in an interactive forum and roundtable with the Laureates, held before an audience of students interested in science and technology. This award recognizes scientific vision, creative thinking, and inventive problem solving.

-- National Park Service Explorer Award: Kevin Welsh, 14, of Gramercy, LA, will receive a trip to Golden Gate National Park in San Francisco, CA and work with National Park Service rangers, anthropologists, biologists, geologists and other professionals who work together to care for America's special places, share a conservation ethic and tradition of public service. This award recognizes the finalist who emerges as a leader through cooperation and teamwork.

-- "Smithsonian Institution's National Museum for Natural History "Young Naturalist" Award: Yahya Mohammed, 13, of Niceville, FL, will return to Washington, D.C. to spend five days behind-the-scenes at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, where he will take part in the day-to-day activities of various museum departments. This award goes to the finalist who demonstrates a long-standing dedication to and interest in natural history.

-- University of California at Santa Barbara "Marine Science Institute" Award: David Hart, 12, of Lake Charles, LA, will travel to Santa Barbara, CA and spend 3-5 days working with scientists from the University of California, Santa Barbara Marine Science Institute. There, he will participate in coastal ocean research, including the near-shore marine environment along the South Coast of California (including Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands). This award recognizes the finalist who best demonstrates superior knowledge and an application of an interdisciplinary approach to solving science challenges.

-- United States Secret Service: Kristin Grotecloss, 14, of St. Petersburg, FL, will return to Washington, D.C. to spend one day behind-the-scenes with the United States Secret Service and get a glimpse of its day-to-day operations. This award recognizes the finalist who best demonstrates a mastery of observational technique and exhibits a consistent pattern of perceptive data analysis.

-- American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and American Physics Society (APS) "Young Physicist Scholarships": Kels Phelps, 14, of Butte, MT; Kristin Grotecloss, 14, of St. Petersburg, FL; Kory Vencill, 14, of Grants Pass, OR; Roy James Gross, 14, of Lansdale, PA; and Ashley Woodall, 15, of Garland, TX each won a $250.00 scholarship. This award goes to one finalist from each DCYSC team. Judges evaluated students' physics content knowledge and physics process skills based on students' original science projects and their performance during the science challenges.

The DCYSC 2002 National Competition will be the subject of a Discovery Channel documentary to air in late 2002. The DCYSC is proud to have GMC and LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. as distinguished sponsors.

Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge Background:

Created in 1999, Discovery designed 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 communicated and shared - is a key component of the judging.

More than 6,000 middle school students 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.

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 700 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 and a family of newer, targeted channels. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery.com and 167 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.

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.

For downloadable photos of the winners, all of the finalists and more information about them, their original projects and the DCYSC, visit www.discovery.com/dcysc