Two Knoxville Seniors Chosen for National Youth Science Camp Honors

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Education is pleased to announce that Lawrence Wang and Palmer Gleason, both from Knoxville, have been selected as the two most promising young scientific leaders in Tennessee’s 2013 high school graduating class. The two students have won full scholarships to attend the National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) held this summer in Charleston, W.Va., near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. 

Gleason is a student at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, and Wang attends Farragut High School also in Knoxville.

According to Linda Jordan, K-12 science consultant at the department of education and coordinator for the honor selection, the two winners were chosen based upon their academic achievement in science as well as their potential for scientific leadership.

“These students have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership abilities and outside interests that they are young scientists who are truly ‘beyond the curve’ with respect to science-oriented academic achievement,” Jordan said. “Tennessee is proud to have these delegates representing our state.” 

The nearly month-long experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation; outdoor activities such as backpacking, caving, mountain biking, and kayaking in the Monongahela National Forest; and a visit to Washington, D.C. paid for by The National Youth Science Foundation^®.

Established in 1963 as a part of West Virginia’s Centennial Celebration, NYSC brings together two delegates from every state, leading scientists and other professionals to exchange ideas on cutting-edge research and the issues facing the scientific community today. In the past, topics such as fractal geometry, the human genome project, global climate change, the history of the universe, the fate of our rain forests, and robotics have been highlighted. Delegates are also provided opportunities to present seminars on their own interests in addition to exploring new areas in biology, geology, physical sciences, art, and music.

To learn more about NYSC, visit www.nysf.com and www.nysc.org.

For more information, contact Kelli Gauthier at (615) 532-7817 or Kelli.Gauthier@tn.gov.