(September 5, 2000) - Today, Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) and Science Service announced the 400 middle school students (grades 5-8) who are this year's Semifinalists in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (DYSC). The DYSC is a national science competition created by DCI and Science Service to encourage the exploration, understanding and communication of science among the next generation of America's youth.
Sixteen nominees from the California State Science Fair were among those selected by DYSC as semifinalists. They are:
| Jessie Atterholt | Hesperia | |
| Vanessa Danziger | Irvine | Project Summary |
| Rose Ericson | Moreno Valley | |
| Hannah Gilula | Los Angeles | |
| Lilly Havstad | Sebastopol | |
| Marisa Ingrum | Northridge | |
| Christopher Moen | Newbury Park | |
| Moriah Nachbaur | Redwood City | |
| Sarah Nahigian | Fresno | |
| Ryan Naylor | San Diego | Project Summary |
| Paul Norton | Irvine | Project Summary |
| Gregory Schuster | Murrieta | Project Summary |
| Sean Shanahan | Willits | Project Summary |
| Walter Singaram | Santa Cruz | |
| Daniel Wasser | Westlake Village | |
| Janelle Williams | Bakersfield |
More than 1,600 middle school students from 23 states entered the DYSC, which is in its second year. By placing first or second in the California State Science Fair, 36 students were nominated to the DYSC and were eligible to enter by completing an application.
"The response we have received in our second year of this contest is overwhelming and indicates a strong national interest for science and innovation," said Judith A. McHale, president and chief operating officer. "This competition - with its emphasis on communication and leadership -- will encourage talented middle school students to make their mark on the world of science and master the wondrous opportunities of the Information Age."
As a Semifinalist, these sixteen students are eligible to become one of 40 Finalists who will be announced by DCI and Science Service on Monday, September 18, 2000. The 40 Finalists will be invited to travel to Washington, DC, all expenses paid, October 21-26, 2000, to compete in science challenges at two Smithsonian Institution museums. For three days, student teams will be assigned different challenges, each of which will concentrate on a different discipline of science. Students will be judged on their individual communication skills, leadership skills and problem-solving abilities while working on challenges. In addition, students will be judged on oral presentations of their projects that won each student a nomination to the DYSC.
On Thursday, October 26, 2000, DCI will announce the DYSC winners and award a $10,000 scholarship for first place, a $5,000 scholarship for second place, and a $3,000 scholarship for third place. The remaining Finalists will receive $500-$1,000 in prizes. Additional discretionary prizes, based on the student's projects and their performance during the science challenges, will be announced at a later date.
For more information about the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge, including a complete listing of the names of the 400 semifinalists, their school, state and project title, please visit the DYSC web site.