FRIB, Michigan State University (MSU), and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) honored the winners of the “Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences” competition at a virtual ceremony on 22 January. For the competition, pre-college students created video presentations about scientists and engineers who have excelled or contributed to the fields of nuclear science, accelerator science, and accelerator engineering.

There were two categories based on grade level:

• Category one: Grades 5-8
• Category two: Grades 9-12

Students created an original artistic design expression, personalized poem, musical performance (song/rap), video, or poster to highlight their selected “Distinguished Trailblazer in the Sciences.” They then created an original video in which they presented their submission. The winners and their winning videos are:

Category one: Grades 5-8

• First place: Esther Cohen-Lin (Kinawa Middle School; Okemos, Michigan)
  • Presentation on Chien-Shiung Wu
• Second place: Mahi Patel (Liberty Middle School; Tampa, Florida)
  • Presentation on Shirley Jackson
• Third place: Nathan Ponnudurai (Larson Middle School; Troy, Michigan)
  • Presentation on Margaret Melhase

Category two: Grades 9-12

• First place: Disha Abburi (Hillsborough High School; Tampa, Florida)
  • Presentation on Homi J. Bhabha
• Second place: Elizabeth Guyard (Jupiter High School; Jupiter, Florida)
  • Presentation on He Zehui
• Third place: Josh Dupuis (East Lansing High School; East Lansing, Michigan)
  • Presentation on J. Ernest Wilkins

The competition was developed under the Student Training and Engagement Program for Undergraduates in Physics (STEP-UP). STEP-UP is a national organization of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies that designs high-school physics lessons to inspire young people to pursue physics in college. It is a joint initiative between FRIB and Jefferson Lab. STEP-UP Coordinators Chandra Oaks-Garcia and Mornetka Gueye, and Artemis Spyrou, professor of physics at FRIB and in the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Physics and Astronomy, created and organized “Trailblazers.”

At the ceremony, the students were recognized for their work by representatives of FRIB and Jefferson Lab. Each winner was able to present their video and offer their thoughts on the most exciting part of making their presentation. One award winner noted that prior to her research, she did not know who her scientist was, and that was a fun experience conducting her research. In addition, the winners heard from practicing physicists, each of whom shared their career journey and encouraged the students to further explore their scientific interest. 

FRIB Laboratory Director Thomas Glasmacher and Jefferson Lab Associate Director for Experimental Nuclear Physics Cynthia Keppel also attended the ceremony. Both commended the students, stating they were impressed by the students’ presentations.

Michigan State University operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics.