The Siemens Foundation announced the regional finalists and semifinalists of the 2013 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, the nation’s premier research competition for high schoolers, on Friday, Oct. 18. Four Herricks High School Science Research students were recognized for their excellent achievement in research.
Sahil Abbi and his partners, Arjun Kapoor of The Wheatley School and Connor Abbott of Hopkins School, Conn., were recognized as regional finalists. Only 100 regional finalists are invited to advance to the next round of the competition. Abbi and his teammates will present to a panel of judges from Carnegie Mellon University on Nov. 15 and 16.
Students who win their regional competition receive a silver medal and scholarships and are invited to compete at the national event in Washington, D.C. Abbi, a 10th grade student, is the son of Reena and Mukesh Abbi of Albertson. The team completed their research at Stony Brook University.
Three hundred thirty-one semifinalists were also recognized, including three Herricks High School research students. The students are senior Brandon Yu, son of Weina and John Yu of Roslyn, and brothers Byeongho (Ben) Jung, 11th grade, and Bongseok Jung, 9th grade, sons of Soon Yong and Chan Yi Jung of Albertson.
The 2013 Siemens Competition had a record number of student entries, with 2,440 students registered for this year’s competition and a total of 1,599 projects submitted for consideration. The Siemens Foundation, in partnership with the College Board, established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology and the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement. The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States.
All four students are participants in the Herricks High School science research program and have been mentored by Mrs. Renée Barcia, science research teacher.
