CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — An Osan American High School junior earned a spot in one of the world’s most exclusive programs for advanced theory in science, math and engineering.
This June, Michael Newman will attend the six-week Research Science Institute, sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Between 50 and 75 students worldwide are accepted each year into the program, which is taught by nationally recognized professors, according to the institute’s Web site.
“I got the e-mail telling me that I got in, I yelled something unintelligible (but joyous) and sprinted upstairs to tell my parents,” Newman said in an e-mail. “Actually, I was already planning things to do this summer, like getting a job to help pay for college, since I was sure that I wouldn’t get into RSI.”
He credits his selection to a large degree on great recommendations from his advanced placement calculus and physics teachers.
Newman applied for the program to learn more about genetics, but looks forward to learning how to conduct research from the best in the field as much as any subject knowledge he gains.
Because of the emphasis on professional methodology, many students use their institute research projects for entry at top college scholarship science competitions.
The program also helps its alumni with college admissions — not that Newman should have too much trouble getting into a good school.
He has a 4.0 unweighted grade point average and has participated in wrestling, Model United Nations, swimming and the National Honor Society.
Despite the accomplishment, Newman says he hasn’t really talked much about his selection with his friends.
“There wouldn’t be much point, since most people have never heard of the program,” Newman said. “It’s OK, though. I have enough enthusiasm about it to go around.”
Stars and Stripes reporter T.D. Flack contributed to this report.
