MANCHESTER – Township High School student Katherine Estevanell will be having an exciting summer. She was recently chosen as this year’s Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences.
As such, she will be heading to a three-week residential program where students are immersed in intense college-level research on the campus of Drew University.
High school students who live in New Jersey are nominated by their schools and applications are submitted in the fall of the junior year for participation in the following summer. New Jersey’s Governor’s School in the Sciences is a very prestigious program for rising high school seniors.
Katherine spoke to The Manchester Times about her award and what she would be doing during the three-week residential program.
She said upon learning of her winning the award, “I was incredibly excited and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.”
She has been interested in science for a long time now. “I’ve loved science from a young age, I was always interested in learning how things worked, and science not only provided the answers to those questions, but also allowed me to apply my love of math as well.”
“My parents also played a large role in fostering my love of science, since my mother majored in chemistry in college and my father fostered in me the diligence necessary to pursue such a field,” the student added.
She spoke about the areas of science she enjoys most saying, “my current area of interest is physics, with a focus on nuclear and particle physics. At first glance, physics seems counterintuitive, but it is the basis for most of the incredible technology we could not have dreamed of just a few decades ago. From satellites to atomic clocks to the GPS in everyone’s phones, it is an incredibly versatile field.”
When asked if there were any particular teachers she had that helped or inspired her with her interest in science, Katherine replied, “while all of my teachers have helped me develop skills that (overlap with the necessary skills for) pursuing science, my physics teacher Mrs. White has consistently challenged my abilities and problem-solving skills while also providing valuable guidance for my future plans.”
The award winner is definitely looking to have a career in the science field. “I hope to one day contribute to research initiatives and contribute to the development of new technologies.”
She said, “during the summer, I will be spending three weeks at Drew University, where I will be taking advanced science courses across scientific disciplines, engaging in a research project, and speaking with professionals in the field about potential future career paths in my field of interest.”
Katherine will have plenty of family support during her time away from home. “My loved ones are very excited for me. While they will miss me while I am at Drew, the program allows for family visits on Sundays, which they have informed me they will take full advantage of. They know that this decision will ultimately benefit me in my future endeavors.”
The post Ocean County Student Chosen As Governor’s School In Sciences Scholar appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.