My Nonprofit Reviews

My involvement with the Society for Science & the Public (SSP) was related to my oldest son, Rick in conjunction with the Ninth Annual Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC) co-sponsored with Discovery Communications. It attempted to find “America’s Top Young Scientist of the Year” from a field of about 80,000 US middle school students. Rick was one of the 40 finalists. Although I disagreed with the final decision of the judges ( :-} Rick did not win), it was one of the greatest experiences of his young life. I say this in light of the fact that he had spoken at over a dozen academic conferences by this point, to note only one aspect of his life. He was truly more distressed by the end of the challenge that that he did not win. That really says something about the experience. But what may say more is the fact that he connected with the other finalists to such an extent that he turned down a behind the scenes tour at the Smithsonian to be with his new friends and colleagues after only a hour of knowing them. Many of them still correspond. How cool is that! But my experiences with the SSP did not end there. They have provided Rick and countess other promising high school students with the opportunity to shine at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which Rick attended in both 2009 and 2010. This proved to be at least as rewarding as the DCYSC and he enjoyed it immensely, again failing to bring home one of the big prizes. What does this say about the experience provided by SSP, if even the non-winners (and they can’t all win) bring home so much from their programs. Far from being discouraged, my son hopes to attend the Intel Science Talent Search for this year and also hopes to make it back to ISEF next spring. And once again, the contacts made there will likely last a lifetime. So as much as the science fair experience itself, the opportunity to bring together the best and brightest is a feat unto itself. Rick’s experiences have also inspired both of his younger siblings to become involved in science fairs primarily due to what has been provided with SSP. Even my wife and I became involved as judges at ISEF last year (although they would not let me judge Rick’s project :-} ). Both of us found other categories in which we were qualified and the two of us came away from the experience inspired. Since fifth grade, Rick had been caught up in school and regional science fairs which progressed to DCYSC and state fair since eighth grade. For the last two years, he was honored to participate at ISEF. Not only has this stimulated his interest in science, but it has encouraged him to continue his research on an obscure Asian tortoise, about which very little is known. He has become more proficient and professional interacting with his peers and also sharing his experiences with them stimulating their own interest. SSP not only inspires greatness, but encourages and nurtures it. Rick would not be where he is today with SSP.

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