St. Joseph High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
The future of all technology will be derived from the minds of engineers. An engineer is defined as someone who designs public works, but I do not seek to paint the entire blueprint for a project but refine what has already been written. I constantly seek to perfect all the systems around me whether it be my efficiency of time and energy or the amount of miles I can get out of one tank of gas. I discovered this nitch I have with problem solving during my junior year of high school in the school’s science research program. I designed an experiment that contained different bacterias and their effects on the growth rate of multiple corn plants. All living things need Nitrogen to grow, and theses particular bacterias were under the title description of “Nitrogen-Fixing” meaning they use the Nitrogen in the atmosphere to help promote plant growth. Upon performing research, I discovered there was an issue with excess nitrogen crop runoff in local waterways due to the high fertilizer concentrations used on crops. The Nitrogen levels in the water were becoming so high that it was creating a high mortality rate for the aquatic life. To solve this problem, my thoughts were if we use a plain bacteria we could possibly decrease the amount of Nitrogen runoff. After growing the crops in combination with different bacterias, I did find there was a difference.
When finally getting to put all my data into a powerpoint presentation to go to competition, I realized that this type of work was comparable to that of a Biological Engineer. I potentially solved a real life issue that carried a weight of importance. I was helping our food system be more efficient, and it showed in the number of awards I received at competitions. With a first place at both my regional and state Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition and the Director’s Award of Botany, I realized that this profession may be something I enjoy pursuing. The engineering scholarship I was honored in accepting was yet another affirmation of my decision. Not only is this task something I enjoy, but it is something I am good at and receive reward for working with. All of my math and science teachers have influenced my decision into going into this field because I show growth and application to the materials I learn. These small milestones have lite the fire inside of me to continue to solve the problems of our new technology today.
