Merit-Based Scholarship Program Emphasizes Study of Math, Science and Engineering
Salt Lake City, Utah – May 13, 2009 In the third year of the EnergySolutions Foundation Scholarship Program, 212 scholarships were awarded to 10th grade students in Georgia, Idaho, Illnois, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Washington. The program targets sophomore students to encourage capable students to think about their career track and be better prepared for college with that extra planning.
The EnergySolutions Foundation began the scholarship program in 2006 as a way to promote the study of math, science, and engineering to encourage the next generation of professionals to seek degrees in biochemistry, chemistry, ecology, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, or physics. To date, 505 scholarships totaling $1,335,000 have been awarded.
Scholarship recipients were chosen by a prestigious selection committee with representatives from all states participating in the program. Selection committee members include professionals in science, math, engineering, and from academia. They evaluate each application for academic achievement, community involvement, and career goals.
Students selected will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in math, science, or engineering. The scholarship is offered to one 10th grade student from each eligible high school. The scholarship recipient from each school is then qualified for a Distinguished Award scholarship for an additional $2,500, $5,000, or $25,000 and a laptop computer upon entering college.
With the goals of this program, “this is an excellent opportunity for the Foundation to act locally and get results on a global scale,” said Steve Creamer, EnergySolutions CEO and EnergySolutions Foundation Board Member.
$25,000 Distinguished Award Recipients
Akshai wants to study engineering at Stanford. His interest in science was piqued in the 6th grade when he participated in a middle school science fair. He has participated in the Washington State and Mid Columbia science fairs for the last five years and has been an award winner every year. He participated in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology/FIRST Lego League competition and won the State’s Best Robot Performance award. “Akshai has the ability to think outside the box and tackle challenges in a thoughtful and logical sequence, resulting in some complex ideas which he has developed into functional solutions,” said Dustin Caldwell who is a research engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and mentor for the FIRST robotics competition.
Nathan is the $25,000 recipient. He wants to get a degree in engineering and use his mind to solve and create. From the third grade to the sixth grade he was in the Spectrum Program for gifted and talented students and began participating in science fairs in the fifth grade. In Junior High he was selected to compete in four high school events at the Science Olympiad. His team won the district and state competition. He competed in remote sensing-mars, rocks and minerals, Fermi questions, and oceanography. His team went on to the Science Olympiad National Tournament in Washington DC where he competed in the pentathlon event and placed fourth in the nation. He was chosen by the science department to be a teaching aid. As a teaching aid he facilitated special science projects, prepared class presentation, and tutored eighth grade students. As a top math student at his school, he was selected to participate in the state math contest the last two years. His Pre-calculus Honors teacher says, “as a teacher of mathematic for over20 years, I have written many letters of recommendation. Many of those students are bright, responsible and successful. Nathan stands above the crowd.
$5,000 Distinguished Award Recipients
Rebecca wants to study math at Harvard and has been competing in math contests since the 6th grade as an individual and on teams. For the past five years she has placed first in regional math competitions. Rebecca says she “needs to be able to apply mathematical logic and reasoning to solve practical problems dealing with other areas of learning such as science and engineering.” In addition to her other classes she is currently taking AP Biology, AP Physics, and Pre Calculus Honors. She was also the freshman and now Sophomore Class President and won State Honorable Mention for piano from the Washington State Music Teachers Association. Vickie Kelly, Math Department Chair at Hanford High says, “Rebecca is a gifted math student who excels in high school and will do the same at the most challenging university.” Dale Johns, Science Department Chair at Hanford High says, “I have been a high school teacher for over 25 years with more than 10 years experience teaching AP Biology and Rebecca is among the top few students I have taught.”
Chas is the $5,000 recipient. He wants to study physics at Stanford. His interest is in theoretical and particle physics and quantum chemistry. He won first place at the Salve Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair in the Psychology Senior Division and received the second highest soccer in the state on the American Math Contest in 2006. He is a member of the Student Council, Math Club, Chess Club and writes articles for the school newspaper. Even with a full load of AP and concurrent enrollment classes, he is still ranked number one out of 128 students. Currently he is a research assistant at the University of Utah Electrochemical Lab. The Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah says, “approximately 50 high school and undergraduate researchers have working in my lab in the past 25 years, and many have risen to become stars in academia and industry. I would rank Chas’ potential among this group.” And an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Utah says, “Chas does in his mind with chemistry what an exceptionally skilled carpenter or mechanic does in his hands with wood, iron, and steel. He really is that good.”
$2,500 Distinguished Award Recipients
Matthew is the recipient of the additional $2,500 award and wants to be an engineer to help overcome some of the problems we face in society today. He has participated in the science Olympiad for four years. According to his science teacher and Olympiad coach, “in 7th grade he joined the Science Olympiad team because of his curiosity and talent. With his help and his success in assignments, we continued to win at the state level for the three years he was on our team. He is every science teachers dream-curious and intelligent.” His geometry teacher says, “although always at the top of the class, he is less interested in the pursuit of grades than the pursuit of knowledge.”
Yajit wants to pursue a mathematics degree at Stanford. He hopes to work on problems such as climate change, biotechnology, and alternative energy sources and to educate others and share his passion for mathematics. He is studying set theory, number theory and group theory under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey Holms at the Spallation Neutron Source. He has been a member of the math club at Oak Ridge High for three years and has received numerous awards. He has also participated in the Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, American Association of Physics Teachers Physics Bowl, the US Physics Team and the US Invitational Young Physicists Tournament and has won many awards in these also. Yagit is also a volunteer at the American Museum of Science and Energy, plays violin in the honors orchestra at his high school, and a member of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association. Benita Albert, Mathematics Department Chair at Oak Ridge High says, “he is an independent thinker who has, of his own volition, chosen to study creative problem solving techniques via the “Art of Problem Solving” book series and through similar activities in the high school math club.”
“We recognize the need our nation has for a well trained workforce and this is a great vehicle to promote that,” said Creamer. “A strong workforce in math, science, and engineering is the key to keeping America competitive during the next century. Unfortunately, we are falling behind, but the EnergySolutions Foundation is working to help solve the problem.” said Steve Creamer, CEO of EnergySolutions. For more information about the scholarship program, please contact Pearl Wright at (801) 870-1505 or visit www.energysolutionsfoundation.org.
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