Longwood High School Student Wins First Place in Brookhaven Lab's Science and Society Essay Contest
May 2, 2006
UPTON, NY - Longwood High School student Jacquelyn Cooper (fourth from left) won the grand prize of $500 in the annual Science and Society Essay Contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. Sarah Whitney (fifth from left) from Huntington High School, won $300 as the second-place winner; and Justin Chako (third from left), East Meadow High School, won $200 in third place. A panel of four independent judges chose the winning essays based on critical thinking, scientific accuracy, creativity and organization. The winners were chosen from 157 entries from 19 Long Island schools.
Five honorable-mention prizes of $50 each were also awarded. They were given to: (from left) Mitchell Feinberg, Smithtown High School East; Anil Divakaran, East Meadow High School; Neil Patel, Herricks High School; Alex Yang, Brentwood High School; and Matthew Brown, Smithtown High School West.
In the essay, the students were asked to give their opinion on the statement: "Recent studies suggest that there is a need for more scientists and engineers in the U.S. workforce." Specifically, they were to respond to three questions: Do you think this perception is valid? Is there a public responsibility to encourage students to pursue a career in science? What would motivate you to pursue a career in science? Students' responses were diverse, although most agreed with the initial statement. The winning students' essays may be read online at http://www.bnl.gov/education/Contests/HSessay/2006essaywinners.asp
The Laboratory's Office of Educational Programs manages the contest, and Brookhaven Science Associates, the company that runs the Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, sponsored the contest prizes. Friends of Brookhaven, a Laboratory employee organization, started the essay contest seven years ago.
2006-10486 | INT/EXT | Newsroom
