Few things are as rewarding as
acknowledging academic achievement.
When we are young, the world of science
fills us with awe and wonder. As we get older, our awe and wonder are given
to those who navigate increasingly complex scientific subjects. Things have
changed from my day. There seems much more depth and relevance to these
projects than those I remember from way back when.
Hard to look at the award-winning projects
in such a competition and square it with the national alarm over the caliber
of science education. A common lament is that females lack the interest and
aptitude to do well in scientific fields. Marian has sure crushed that
stereotype.
This honor recognizes a terrific
combination – intellectual curiosity, research aptitude, mastery of the
methods of scientific inquiry. Impressed by the way she explains it in
understandable and logical terms. There are people all over the place doing
marvelous work who stumble when they try to explain to us what they are
doing and why it matters.
There is another quality that sets this
apart. The science comes from the mind; the purpose comes from the heart.
This is a justifiably proud moment for
Marian and for her family. Judging by what I see – her enthusiasm and her
scholarship – this is not going to be the last time the spotlight shines on
her.
