Area teen scientists rate high in TV contest

Who would have thought that lead levels in earthworms or light reflecting on a solar cell would be so fascinating?

David Westrich of Cape Girardeau and Alan Ernst of Perryville, Mo., did, and the science projects the two area high school freshman based on those ideas has landed each a place in the 2004 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.

Westrich and Ernst were among 400 semifinalists chosen from nearly 1,800 entries by fifth- through eighth-graders from around the country. In Missouri, 126 students advanced to the semifinal round.

"These students exhibit an intellectual maturity that is truly remarkable," said Steve Jacobs, head judge in the Discovery Channel contest. "Even more impressive, and a fundamental part of our competition, is their success in explaining their work to others, a prerequisite of scientific leadership."

On Monday, the pool of semifinalists will be narrowed to 40 students, and Westrich and Ernst will learn if they will advance in the competition. If one or both of them make the cut, they'll travel to Washington, D.C., in October for a final competition of physics challenges.

Westrich, now a freshman at Notre Dame Regional High School, completed a project titled "Lead Levels in Invertebrates Near Herculaneum, Missouri" as an eighth-grader last year at St. Vincent de Paul Parish School.

The project tested Westrich's hypothesis that lead levels in earthworms and wood increased as they were collected near a lead smelter.

"It's really interesting and has a use in this area because there's a lot of lead here," Westrich said.

He has submitted projects to the Young Scientist Challenge before, but this is the first time he's been accepted.

"I'm not sure how far I'll go, but I'm proud of it," he said.

Ernst completed his project, "Sunlight and Mirrors," as an eighth-grader at St. Vincent High School, where he is now a freshman. The test involved reflecting or magnifying light onto a solar cell, which faced the sun.

"I'm really surprised I even got this far, especially since I turned my project in on the last possible day," Ernst said.

The projects' success is also an achievement for local schools.

"We're very proud of Alan, and we are excited about the work he's going to be doing in the future," said Lisa Best, principal at St. Vincent High School.

cclark@semissourian.com

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