HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH RESULTS IN RESEARCH AWARD

Squalicum High School Student Karl Plank Placed 8th At The 64th Annual Science Talent Search

Karl Plank in Washington D.C. presenting his research.

The department would like to extend its congratulations to Bellingham native Karl Plank on his 8th place finish that includes a $20,000 scholarship award at this year’s Intel Science Talent Search, which was announced on March 15. Karl was one of forty finalists who traveled to Washington, D.C., where they underwent a final judging session. Based on interviews and their research presentations, 10 top scholarship winners were selected with Karl being one of them. While in Washington, Karl met with many distinguished scientists and displayed his prize-winning research "Toward Self-Assembling Nanocircuitry Using Liquid Crystal Solvents" at the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. At the National Academy of Sciences, he described his research to thousands of visitors, many of them important figures in the governmental and scientific communities. For more information about Intel's Science Talent Search, including stories and pictures from this year's contest, please visit their website.

The department is particularly proud of Karl as he performed his award winning research in the lab of Dr. David Patrick here at Western. The Chemistry Department has had other high school students come and do research in labs under the supervision of a faculty mentor and are happy that it can aid in the success of young scientists. If you are interested in doing research at Western, or would simply like more information, please see the general research webpage and/or visit individual faculty member's webpage for details.