Oak Ridge High School Students Named Siemens Semifinalists

Four Oak Ridge High School students were recognized on Tuesday, October 17^th as semifinalists for the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation’s premier research competition for high school students. The Siemens Competition selected only 300 projects from over 1800 submissions this year. Radha Awasthi, daughter of Ritu and Revendra Awasthi, and Candace Pang, daughter of Ee Peng Chow and Soon Lee Pang, teamed together to develop a project titled “Functional Representation of Neutron Data.” The goal of their project was to create an algorithm that automatically classified unidentified neutron scattering data into various classes based on the shape of the scattering pattern and other significant properties. Their algorithm could reduce computing time for scientists needing to predict the structure and properties of unknown materials. Awasthi and Pang worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Archibald of the Computational and Applied Mathematics Division.  As to her experience with research, Awasthi says, “Preparing for the Siemens Competition and working in research has been a wonderful opportunity that has taught me a lot about the importance of teamwork, dedication, and being detailed oriented.”

Joshua Bridges, son of Cathy and Matthew Bridges, and Hannah O’Neil, daughter of Meg and John O’Neil, also received recognition by the Siemens Foundation for their project titled “Preliminary Neutron Scattering Models to Confirm Anomalous Behavior in Weak Polyelectrolyte Solutions.” The goal of their project was to use a computer program to model neutron scattering of solutions containing charged polymers.  From this, they were able to draw conclusions about interactions between a charged polymer and its surroundings, as well as interactions within the polymer. Bridges and O’Neil worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Rajeev Kumar at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences. Bridges used his interest in computer science to help with the coding in the project. He says, “Participating in the research program with ORNL has allowed me to explore my interest in Computer Science applications in a real world experience.”

All four students conducted their research as part of the Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science Thesis course at Oak Ridge High School. For the course, students spend the summer developing and conducting their research that continues throughout the school year. The final product by the end of the year is a professional quality research paper. Deanna Pickel and Jessica Williams, math teachers at Oak Ridge High School, teach Thesis.

Photo left to right: Joshua Bridges, Hannah O’Neil, Radha Awasthi, Candace Pang