The DuPont Challenge(C) Science Essay Competition Recognizes Scientific Ideas of Gifted Teens

WILMINGTON, Del., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A possible aquatic cure for psoriasis inspired by an episode of the ABC-TV show Ugly Betty and how a technology called transgenic pharming has enabled the commercialization of spider silk are the winners of the 2008 DuPont Challenge(C) Science Essay Competition.

Claire Yang, 13, an eighth grade student at H.B. du Pont Middle School, Hockessin, Del., was the Junior Division winner, writing on "An Aquatic Cure for Psoriasis." Nicole Clark, 15, a sophomore at Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho, won the Senior Division with an essay on "Spider Silk: The World's Strongest Fiber."

More than 10,000 students entered the contest from all 50 U.S. states and Canada. The 700-1,000 word essays were judged by 25 National Science Teacher Association (NSTA)-selected teachers, scientists from NASA and DuPont.

Yang, born in Belgium and fluent in Dutch, could not decide on a subject "until I saw an episode of Ugly Betty on ABC. It involved a pedicure in a tub full of fish. The seed had been planted," she said. Her paper focuses on ichthyotherapy -- therapy involving the so-called "doctor fish" of the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. In her conclusion about the positive results, she notes: "In a completely unexpected reversal of the food chain, fish are now eating away at humans, not for food, but to help us better our health and our skin."

Yang represents a milestone in the 22-year history of the program. She is the first student of a DuPont employee to win the coveted DuPont Challenge(C) first prize. Her mother is Jianzhen Zhang, a laboratory scientist at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Del. Her father is a research scientist for Hercules in Wilmington.

Clark, who plans to major in biochemistry and pursue a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical science, notes that spider webs have long fascinated humans. "For centuries, people have marveled at the spider's ability to ensnare flying insects with their delicate and flexible silk thread," she writes. She notes that transgenic pharming from the biotechnology industry has created a novel application -- the production of spider silk proteins through the mammary glands of transgenic goats. "I enjoyed learning about new technologies being utilized by scientists," Clark says. "Winning the award has taught me the benefit of dedication and meticulous research."

The DuPont Challenge(C) began in 1986. It honors the memory of the heroes of the Challenger space shuttle and all who work to encourage the next generation to explore the frontiers of science. The DuPont Challenge(C), sponsored by DuPont in collaboration with The Walt Disney World(R) Resort, NASA, and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), is one of the foremost student science and technology competitions in North America. The program's objective is to increase scientific literacy among students and to motivate students to excel in communicating scientific ideas. It also recognizes the invaluable role of science teachers in motivating students to communicate scientific ideas through writing.

The DuPont Challenge(C) essays cover a broad range of scientific topics including medical advances and astrophysics. First place winners in each division receive a $3,000 educational grant plus an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World(C) and the Kennedy Space Center. The four finalists in each division receive a $1,000 educational grant and honorable mentions receive $100 each. The winners were selected from five finalists in each division. There were 34 senior division and 24 junior division honorable mentions.

To recognize the important role of science educators, the sponsoring teachers of the first-place student essayists are awarded a $500 educational grant, The Walt Disney World(C) Resort and Kennedy Space Center trip with their student and an all-expenses-paid, DuPont-sponsored trip to the National Science Teacher Association national conference in early 2009.

Dr. Thomas Hounsell, the sponsoring teacher for Claire Yang, was elected Teacher of the Year by his colleagues in 1990. He and his wife, Dr. Jillann Hounsell, coach H.B. du Pont's Science Olympiad teams, which have won 23 state championships. Yang is a member of this year's state championship team. Erin Tiderman, the sponsoring teacher for Nicole Clark, has taught biology, advanced placement biology, oceanography, and anatomy for more than 13 years.

The senior and junior division finalists are: 2008 DuPont Challenge(C) Science Essay Competition Senior Division Finalists Brian Rosen Guilford High School Guilford, Conn. Morgan Ayars Sanford School Hockessin, Del. Thomas Sumner Redondo Union High School Redondo Beach, Calif. Cyrus Bahrassa Little Rock Central High School Little Rock, Ark. Junior Division Finalists Michael He Marshall Middle School Beaumont, Tex. Sam Peluso Mahoney Middle School South Portland, Maine Emily Goldfein Thomas Jefferson High School Alexandria, Va. Jerelyn Luther Fairfield Woods Middle School Fairfield, Conn.

For more information about The DuPont Challenge(C) 2008 Science Essay Competition, including a copy of all rules, regulations and entry forms, students and teachers should visit The DuPont Challenge(C) website at http://www.thechallenge.dupont.com/.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM), and DuPont Challenge(C) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

Walt Disney World(R) is a registered trademark of Walt Disney Company. Photo: National Essay Winners Tour NASA

(Due to the length of this URL, please copy and paste into your browser) http://www2.dupont.com/Media_Center/en_US/assets/mmg/images/ChallengeNASA_Blah a.jpg

Caption: Former astronaut John Blaha welcomes 2008 DuPont Challenge(C) Science Essay Competition winners at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Florida.

Left to right: Thomas Hounsell, Jr. Division Winner Claire Yang of Hockessin, Del., Sr. Division Winner Nicole Clark of Boise, Idaho, and her teacher-mentor, Erin Tiderman.