[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DISCOVERY CHANNEL YOUNG SCIENTIST CHALLENGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the House Committee on 
Science, I am an avid supporter of programs that encourage the youth of 
America to push the limits of innovation and originality in science. 
One such program is the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.
  Created in 1999, Discovery Communications, Inc., designed the 
Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge as part of the solution to 
America's chronic underachievement in science and math. The annual 
national contest responds to evidence that academic performance and 
interest in science among American students declines dramatically as 
students become older. This is particularly evident during the middle 
school years.
  For these reasons, the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge 
identifies and honors America's top middle school student who 
demonstrates the best skills in leadership, teamwork, and scientific 
problem solving. More than 7,500 middle school students have entered 
the challenge since its inception in order to compete for the title of 
``America's Top Young Scientist of the Year.'' Since 1999, scholarship 
awards for the students have totaled more than $450,000 and challenge 
winners have participated in science-related trips to far-off places, 
including the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, and the El 
Yunque rain forest in Puerto Rico.
  On September 20, 2004, Discovery Communications, Inc., announced the 
40 middle school students who have advanced to the finals of the 
Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Selected from more than 
1,700 entrants, the finalists represent an elite group of young 
Americans who demonstrated exceptional creativity and communications 
skills in original science research projects. The 40 finalists will 
come to Washington, D.C., October 23-27, where they will take part in 
the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge finalist competition at 
University of Maryland's Cole Field House. They will compete in team-
based, interactive challenges celebrating 100 years of Albert 
Einstein's physics discoveries. The winners will be announced at the 
awards ceremony on October 27, 2004.
  The finalists for the 2004 Discovery Channel Young Scientist 
Challenge are: Kasey Borchardt of Vernon, Texas; Pinaki Bose of Fort 
Worth, Texas; Rebecca Chan of Encinitas, California; Sara Clark of Pipe 
Creek, Texas; Shireen Dhir of Kathleen, Georgia; Nicholas Ekladyous of 
Imlay City, Michigan; Julia Fanning of San Antonio, Texas; Austin 
Fullmer of Glendale, California; Sherri Gerten of Columbus Grove, Ohio; 
Joy Hines of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Daniel Jakubisin of Fairview Park, 
Ohio; Christine Johns of Cape Coral, Florida; Sravya Keremane of 
Gainesville, Florida; Kevin Lane of Flora Vista, New Mexico; Amanda Lu 
of Plano, Texas; Philip Mansour of San Ramon, California; David Marash-
Whitman of Saratogo, California; Shannon McClintock of San Diego, 
California; Elijah Mena of Gales Ferry, Connecticut; Mary Anne Messer 
of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Maryam Mohammed of Niceville, Florida; Ana 
Pedrajo of Coral Gables, Florida; Jordan Pennell of Jacksonville, 
Illinois; Molly Pettit of Portland, Oregon; Jonathan Reasoner of 
Tucson, Arizona; Chana Rich of Fairfield, Connecticut; Anastasia Roda 
of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Michael Rutenberg-Schoenberg of Portland, 
Oregon; Celine Saucier of Midland, Michigan; Anton Schraut of 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; David Sharples of East Windsor, New Jersey; 
Dustin Shea of Jacksonville, Illinois; Daniella Sinay of Trumbull, 
Connecticut; Janet Song of Audubon, Pennsylvania; Eric Strege of La 
Quinta, California; Adam Tazi of Orlando, Florida; Blake Thompson of 
Gainesville, Florida; David Westrich of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Kyle 
Yawn of Bonaire, Georgia; and Blake Zwerling of Portland, Oregon.

  At a time when science and technology plays such an enormous role in 
our lives, I believe it is imperative that we continue to support and 
nurture the next generation of young scientists. I would like to 
congratulate these students for their dedication and hard work in the 
name of science and wish them all good luck during the 2004 Discovery 
Channel Young Scientist Challenge.

                          ____________________