The Regeneron Science Talent Search is a prestigious competition that celebrates the brilliance of high school seniors in science and mathematics. This year, the competition concluded with an awards gala in Washington, D.C., where one exceptional student received a remarkable $250,000 for their original scientific research.
Founded by the Society for Science & the Public, the Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most esteemed science and math competition for high school students. The event honors 40 finalists, with the top 10 winners receiving significant monetary awards. The judging process is rigorous, evaluating not only the strength of the students’ projects but also their ability to articulate their research during challenging interviews.
This year, three standout students were highlighted for their innovative projects, each addressing significant scientific challenges.
Ronak Roy developed a portable Phoropter, a device traditionally used to determine eyeglass prescriptions. The conventional Phoropter is bulky and expensive, with a design that has remained largely unchanged for over 200 years. Ronak’s innovation utilizes a liquid lens system that replaces numerous glass lenses with a single, adjustable lens.
The liquid lens operates by applying voltage to a droplet of polar and non-polar substances, altering its shape to change the way light refracts. This technology allows for a more accessible eye examination, particularly for individuals in remote areas without easy access to optometrists. Ronak also created a smartphone app that simulates the eye test experience, making it easier for users to determine their prescription.
Ana Humphrey focused her research on identifying hidden exoplanets that the Kepler Space Telescope may have missed. By analyzing existing multi-planetary systems, she calculated potential locations for additional planets that could fit within the gravitational constraints of known planets without disrupting their orbits.
Ana’s approach involved a mathematical model based on the “packed planetary system hypothesis,” which suggests that planetary systems tend to maximize the number of planets. She identified 560 potential locations for undiscovered planets and proposed a method for detecting them by folding observational data to enhance the visibility of faint transit signals.
Anjali Chadha tackled the critical issue of water contamination by developing a prototype arsenic sensor. Her device automates the detection of arsenic in water samples through a chemical reaction that converts arsenic into a detectable gaseous form.
The sensor uses a test strip that changes color based on the concentration of arsenic present, and Anjali implemented an image processing algorithm to quantify the results. The data collected can be transmitted to the cloud, allowing communities and researchers to access real-time information about water quality.
After much anticipation, Ana Humphrey was announced as the first-place winner of the Regeneron Science Talent Search, receiving the grand prize of $250,000. Each of the 40 finalists was awarded at least $25,000, highlighting the exceptional talent and dedication of these young scientists.
Ana’s journey in science is just beginning. Inspired by researchers at Caltech who predicted the existence of a ninth planet, she has already made significant contributions to the field. Her work has garnered attention from prominent scientists, including Konstantin Batygin, who expressed admiration for her research.
As the competition continues to inspire young minds, it serves as a reminder of the potential for innovation and discovery among high school students. With around 3.6 million students graduating each year in the U.S., the opportunity to participate in the Regeneron Science Talent Search offers a unique platform for aspiring scientists to showcase their work and make a lasting impact.
In conclusion, the Regeneron Science Talent Search not only rewards outstanding research but also encourages the next generation of scientists to pursue their passions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their fields.
Choose a scientific topic that interests you and develop a research project similar to those presented in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, focusing on the problem you addressed, your methodology, and the potential impact of your research.
Inspired by Ronak Roy’s portable Phoropter, design a prototype of an innovative device that addresses a real-world problem. Use materials available to you and create a presentation explaining how your device works and the problem it solves. Consider factors like accessibility, cost, and usability.
Using Ana Humphrey’s research as a guide, simulate the process of discovering exoplanets. Create a mathematical model to predict the presence of hidden planets in a hypothetical planetary system. Present your findings and discuss the challenges and limitations of your model.
Conduct an experiment to test water quality using simple chemical tests. Develop a method to detect contaminants, similar to Anjali Chadha’s arsenic sensor. Document your process and results, and discuss how your findings could be used to improve water safety in your community.
Participate in a mock interview session where you present your research project to a panel of peers acting as judges. Practice articulating your research, answering challenging questions, and receiving feedback. This activity will help you develop communication skills essential for scientific presentations.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science has allowed us to understand the fundamental forces of nature, such as gravity and electromagnetism.
Competition – A situation in which different entities strive to achieve a goal that cannot be shared, often driving progress and innovation. – The competition between scientists to develop a more efficient solar cell has led to significant advancements in renewable energy technology.
Innovation – The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices that improve processes or solve problems. – The innovation of quantum computing promises to revolutionize fields such as cryptography and complex system simulations.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Research in particle physics has led to the discovery of the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle that gives mass to other particles.
Planets – Celestial bodies orbiting a star, massive enough to be rounded by their own gravity but not to cause thermonuclear fusion. – The study of exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, has expanded our understanding of the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.
Water – A transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, essential for all known forms of life, with the chemical formula $H_2O$. – The presence of liquid water on Mars is a key factor in the search for past or present life on the planet.
Sensor – A device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it. – The use of infrared sensors in telescopes allows astronomers to detect celestial objects that are not visible in the optical spectrum.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have enabled the development of more precise instruments for measuring subatomic particles.
Mathematics – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering. – Mathematics is essential in physics for formulating theories and solving equations that describe natural phenomena.
Optics – The branch of physics that deals with the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. – Optics is crucial in the design of lenses and mirrors for telescopes, which allow us to observe distant galaxies.
