Katherine Chen ’06 is now $1000 richer. Chen received the money when she was named as one of 300 semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search, sponsored by the Intel Corporation. As a semifinalist, Chen will receive a $1000 scholarship to enable her to continue her research. The Phillips Academy Science Department will also receive a $1000 grant. Chen, a four-year senior, worked on a project involving semi-conductor physics for the past two summers at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. “My project was basically on why electronics break after constant or frequent usage, like CD players, iPods, computers, etc. It dealt with tunneling electrons through semiconductors of different quality and material, which make up the basis of most of today’s electronics,” said Chen. In the 65th Intel Science Talent Search, Intel chose the semifinalists from 1,558 entrants representing 486 high schools in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and an overseas school. Later this year, a panel of judges will select 40 finalists from the set of semifinalists. These finalists will attend the Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C. from March 9-14, 2006. During the trip to Washington, the finalists will participate in a final judging process and share in what amounts to a total of $530,000 in scholarships. The top prize of a $100,000 scholarship will be announced at a black tie banquet and awards ceremony on March 14, 2006. All 40 finalists will receive prizes that range in size from $3,000-$100,000 in scholarships to pay their way through college. Last year, PA students Vashali Grover ’05 and Krishna Gupta ’05 were also named as semifinalists in the Intel competition. Chen found out last Wednesday that she had been named a semifinalist in the competition. “It was definitely really exciting,” said Chen. Chen’s former AP physics teacher, Chair of the Physics Department Kathleen Pryde, said, “Katherine Chen is a serious, dedicated student with a talent for physics, who also happens to have a nice sense of humor.” Chen is hoping to attend a college with a strong science program located somewhere in the Northeast. She aspires to enter the scientific field, whether her profession involves engineering or biology. She is also considering becoming a doctor.
