Course creates complex machines that were shared through digital film projects

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� For an Art, Science and Technology course at Washington State University Tri-Cities, the transition to virtual learning proved not only to be a natural transition. It played to the course鈥檚 sweet spot.

As the title of the course suggests, students bring together what some may consider two sides of a coin 鈥� art, and science and technology. But for Peter Christenson, an associate professor of fine arts, the blending of the two fields is natural.

Through the course, Christenson has students create devices that are not only visually appealing, but bridge the gap between physical art and what can be presented digitally online. The sharing of these projects online, he said, provides a perfect fit for virtual learning.

鈥淭he transition to virtual has been beneficial in some ways, especially in more digitally-focused classes,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is essentially a natural extension to everyone鈥檚 practice. Our students are brilliant and very adaptable. They are the creative class of the campus. I have been impressed with their work ethic and diligence 鈥� With the social context we are going through, I have been impressed with the work that students are putting out.鈥�

Rube Goldberg machines

Many people have probably witnessed Rube Goldberg machines on YouTube, Facebook or Instagram Stories – they just didn鈥檛 know what they were called. A ball or other device drops down an increasingly complex matrix of movements, devices and contraptions, all for one goal 鈥� to perform a simple task.

The machines, named after the American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, who coined the contraptions through his cartoons, serve as a demonstration of what can occur when art is blended with physics and engineering, Christenson said. It proved to be the perfect project at-home amid the pandemic, he said.

While many are stuck at home, students took objects that are commonly found in their house to devise a complex layout. The students filmed the moving device as it traversed its matrix. The video was then shared virtually as a class, as well as with peers and friends. It compelled students to think critically, all while creating art and entertainment that helps maintain connections among students, virtually, Christenson said.

鈥淭he Rube Goldberg project is a fun opportunity to arrive at engineering and scientific production via art and creative play,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t explores the historical relationship between art, science and technology and how these have generally been intertwined.鈥�

The best of both worlds

For the Rube Goldberg project, the class studied up on the complex devices, each choosing a particular style that was most suited for their idea or task. After creating the devices by hand, the students recorded the machines in action, with the intent of sharing them digitally with one another as a class. They used their creativity to create both a physical art piece, as well as a video work of art through filmmaking.

Kyle Kopta, a senior digital technology and culture major, came up with the idea for what he calls 鈥淭he Photo Machine鈥� for his project, where the machine automates the process of taking a photo of oneself. The user turns a handle, which activates a gear mechanism, drops a marble into a tube and triggers the shutter on a camera.

鈥淚n doing this, I want the operator to ask themselves, 鈥楢re the actual mechanisms that resulted in the physical taking of the photo the photo machine? Or could I, myself, more accurately be described as the actual photo-taking machine in this process?鈥� 鈥�

Kopta built the contraption in his apartment, where he also filmed and uploaded the video showcasing how his machine worked. The project also allowed him to explore partnership opportunities with students from other disciplines.

鈥淚n working on this project, I was really excited with the high-level of collaboration we were able to maintain in a virtual class format,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a class, we would take time to bounce ideas off each other and look at other artists who created similar machines. For my project, I was able to recruit the help of a friend in the engineering program for a few tips and materials. That interdisciplinary approach was key for me.鈥�

Kopta also relished the opportunity to engage with his classmates in virtual critique sessions, where the students have the opportunity to provide feedback, assess the different projects and what makes them most effective.

鈥淭hese critique days are always my favorite days of class, and this remains true in our virtual learning environment now,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone takes a radically different approach to these projects, and I鈥檓 always surprised by what my classmates are able to put together.鈥�

 

Media contacts:

Peter Christenson, 黑料社 Tri-Cities associate professor of fine arts, peter.christenson@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By 黑料社 Insider

SPOKANE, Wash. 鈥� The Washington State University Board of Regents approved the design and construction of a 40,000-square-foot academic building for undergraduate studies in biology, chemistry and education in science, technology and math, or STEM, fields.

The $30.4 million facility is being funded by the state legislature. The budget bill financing the project is awaiting Governor Jay Inslee鈥檚 signature.

The building will sit west of the Consolidated Information Center and house a dozen labs for physics, biology, chemistry and anatomy/physiology. It will have two 96-seat classrooms and a central gathering area with stadium seating for large group presentations and community gatherings. Preliminary site work will begin in October and construction will be completed in spring 2021.

The Regents also approved the schematic design for the planned 黑料社 Pullman baseball clubhouse at the current Bailey鈥態rayton Field. The board approved the $10 million building鈥檚 design and construction at its January meeting, with the improvements to be paid for with private donations.听 The project will include a locker room, pitching lab, academic area, team meeting rooms, and areas for Cougar equipment and training. Construction will commence in August and conclude a year later, assuming a sufficient amount of pledged donations are collected.

Other items the Regents approved included the refunding of Trust and Building Fee Revenue Bonds originally issued in 2009 and the creation of a new Center for Arts and Humanities.

Refinancing 2009 Bonds will save millions

The Board of Regents approved a resolution to authorize the issuance and sale of bonds to refinance the 2009 Trust and Building Fee Revenue Bonds, with a maximum per amount not to exceed $83,850,000.

In the current market, the refunding transaction is estimated to result in $7.3 million or 9.3% net present value savings over the remaining term of the bonds. Trust Land and Building Fee revenues are restricted for capital purposes only. Thus, the estimated annual savings of approximately $670,000 would accrue back to the trust and building fee revenue accounts.

The University originally issued the Trust and Building Fee Revenue Bonds in December 2009 to finance multiple projects including: construction of a Veterinary Medical Research Building on the Pullman campus, a portion of the costs of construction of Applied Technology Classrooms on the Vancouver campus, and a portion of the costs of construction of the Global Animal Health 鈥� Phase 1 research building on the Pullman campus.

New center reinforces 黑料社鈥檚 commitment to the arts and humanities

The new Center for Arts and Humanities will serve as an organizing point for creative and scholarly activity and public engagement in the arts and humanities, with the further potential to support innovative teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Center鈥檚 primary goals will be to expand 黑料社鈥檚 capacity for foundational research in the arts and humanities, nurture interdisciplinary connection and collaboration, increase the public visibility and outreach of 黑料社 arts and humanities faculty, and to catalyze 黑料社鈥檚 engagement with emergent fields of humanistic and artistic knowledge.

Working in concert with academic departments, which will remain centers of more specialized, field颅-specific inquiry, the Center will advance a broader agenda, one that crosses traditional scholarly boundaries, encourages innovation, and advocates for the vital contribution of the arts and humanities to the public good.

Media Contact:

• Phil Weiler, vice president for marketing and communications, 509鈥�335鈥�1221,听phil.weiler@wsu.edu

Students earn top honors at regional, state, international science competitions

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� High school students in the Tri-Cities have seen success not only at the state level in science fairs, but also at national and international competitions after collaborating with researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities for their research projects.

The goal of the partnerships, the professors said, is not only to provide students with exposure to a variety of science and engineering projects that can stand to have large impacts, but additionally so that more students will receive exposure to hands-on opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. With this experience, the students can witness what is possible through those career paths, they said.

鈥淚 think a lot of the time, students may not even know that some of these areas are an option for a career,鈥� said Aftab Ahamed, a lab manager at the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. 鈥淭hrough these partnerships, these students not only see success in the sciences at the state, national and international level, they鈥檙e learning the ins and outs of what being a scientist, an engineer, a researcher looks like at a high level.鈥�

Increasing opportunity in the sciences

In the last several years, 黑料社 Tri-Cities researchers and professors have partnered with a variety of Tri-Cities high school students that have competed in the Mid-Columbia Regional Science Fair and moved on to the Washington State Science Fair, Expo Sciences Asia and even the Genius Olympiad International Science Fair, each where students have earned top honors. These students have worked with professors on projects ranging from the development of biofuels and biogases, to developing and refining bioproducts to solve global challenges, to the refinement of toxic plastics to safe biodegradeable plastics and more.

Ahamed said he has worked with 11 students, including his own two children, at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. One of his students studied how he could use endophytic fungi to produce biofuels. Another student studied how to turn wine pumice, or the organic materials left over after a grape harvest, to produce bio-based jet fuel. Others worked on biogas production from agricultural waste materials and in converting toxic plastics to plastics that could be degraded safely and naturally using bacteria.

Bin Yang, a professor at 黑料社 Tri-Cities in BSEL, and then doctoral student Libing Zhang, have mentored several students. One completed a project pertaining to converting lignin, which is the main material comprised in the cell walls of plants, into biofuel. The other student鈥檚 project focused on creating a supercapacitor, which stores large amounts of energy similar to a high-performing battery. Earlier this year, Zhangyang XU, a doctoral student from Dr. Yangs鈥檚 lab, also mentored a student from Hanford High School in the sciences.

As an avid fishing family, Ahamed鈥檚 children, Afrah Aftab and Areeb Aftab, both from Hanford High School, were interested in seeing why the fish count

would fluctuate in the Columbia. It had been documented that there were toxic carcinogens stemming from industrious practices that would flow into water sources, which would cause embryological dysfunction and tumors in water wildlife. While scientists have developed a method using an enzyme called laccase to reduce those carcinogens in the water during the wastewater treatment process, the enzyme is quite unstable and typically only survives the process for 30 minutes. The students found a way to make it more stable, allowing the enzyme to survive for up to two days and also be reused in the process as part of their collaborative project with 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

Afrah and Areeb Aftab鈥檚 work in the 黑料社 Tri-Cities BSEL facility earned both first place at the Washington State Science Fair, as well as gold and silver, respectively, at the Genius Olympiad International Science Fair this year in Oswego, New York.

And also this past academic year, Kevin Yang, a Hanford High School student who was also mentored by Ahamed, earned first place at the Washington State Science Fair for his work in converting toxic plastics into degradable plastics using a soil bacteria through experimentation and genome-scale metabolic modeling.

Increased interest, potential for STEM

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a wonderful thing working with high school kids to get them interested in science early,鈥� Ahamed said. 鈥淭hese partnerships are showing to be really fruitful and I am pleased to see all of these kids are doing very well. The high schools are talking about how 黑料社 is a very good place to go. And we are seeing more and more students take interest in the STEM fields.鈥�

Bob Lewis, a 黑料社 Tri-Cities associate professor of computer science who has judged the Mid-Columbia Science Fair for most of the past 10 years, said there is a need for scientists and engineers to become engaged with students before they reach the competition level, which is why these types of partnerships are so valuable.

鈥淢any of the projects could have been substantially improved and could have led to a greater understanding and appreciation of science if a scientist had spent just a few minutes of consultation with the student early on, with periodic progress reviews as time goes on,鈥� he said of some of the projects he judged at the competitions.

It is that same reason, Ahamed said, that he hopes to grow opportunities in the 黑料社 BSEL facility for high school students, which may lead to paths for them to attend 黑料社 into the future and hopefully inspire in them an interest in science and related fields

Many students who have worked with 黑料社 Tri-Cities professors for their science projects are now studying at 黑料社, Ivy League institutions and other prestigious universities, and all plan to or are pursuing a career in the sciences.

The students said they are also excited to have the hands-on opportunity to work in university labs.

鈥淧eople will ask me, 鈥榃ow, how did you achieve this?鈥欌�� Afrah Aftab said of her research opportunities at 黑料社 as a high school student. 鈥淢any students don鈥檛 have these resources or get these opportunities at the high school level. We鈥檙e really luckily to live here and have 黑料社 as a resource.鈥�

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Groundbreaking nanotechnology designed to protect cherries, apples and other popular fruits from frost damage is showing positive results in tests by Washington State University researchers.

The research team recently received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop plant-based nanocrystals that coat and protect fruit buds during cold spells in the spring, when temperatures rise and fall unpredictably. The team also received an additional $100,000 from the tree fruit growers of Washington state through the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission to partially fund field trails in support of the technology.

The unique nanocrystal solution was formulated by Xiao Zhang, associate professor at 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, and a team of collaborators representing multiple disciplines.

鈥淔rost damage happens in spring, as the flowers open and the sensitive tissues in the plant are exposed,鈥� said Matthew Whiting, scientist and professor of horticulture at 黑料社鈥檚 Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center. 鈥淚f we get a warm week, it signals to the plant that it needs to wake up.

鈥淏ut plants lose their tolerance to the cold quite quickly, and that鈥檚 when we see frost damage,鈥� Whiting added. 鈥淵ou see a lot of crop damage as a result.鈥�

Positive results with preliminary trials

The team, led by professor Qin Zhang, director of 黑料社鈥檚 Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, also includes Xiao Zhang, Matthew Whiting, and Changki Mo, 黑料社 Tri-Cities associate professor of mechanical engineering. Together they conducted their first field trial with the nanocrystals this spring. It showed positive results.

The team will continue the trials over the next three years, seeking to perfect the dosage and application strategy, in addition to the nanocrystal technology.

鈥淲e will explore thermal properties of the nanocrystal spray, and focus on fully understanding the mechanism of nanocrystals in frost damage reduction,鈥� Mo said.

If it proves feasible, the technology could have a large impact on the agriculture industry.

鈥淥ur preliminary results show the technology to be very promising, even better than we were expecting,鈥� Qin Zhang said. 鈥淚f we prove that the technology works, and if the method of application is perfected, it will not only have applications in tree fruit, but in many other crops, and beyond. The potential for this technology is huge.鈥�

Unique and renewable characteristics

Since the nanocrystals are made from plant-based material, they represent a more environmentally friendly method for controlling temperatures for crops than current techniques.

Currently, growers use methods such as wind turbines to circulate air and raise the temperature of cold pockets in orchards. Or, they use heaters that cost upwards of thousands of dollars per night, which also give off significant pollution.

鈥淲ith these unique structural characteristics and physical properties, and the fact that the nanocrystals are all made out of biobased materials and are considered renewable, we are identifying a high-value niche application for tree fruit and frost prevention and protection,鈥� Xiao Zhang said.

Cross disciplines for the future of fruit protection

Researchers from across several disciplines at 黑料社 are working to perfect the nanocrystal method, ensuring a quality product built for industry use, Qin Zhang said.

鈥淣o single person who works in chemical engineering and nanocrystal technology, horticulture, mechanical engineering or precision agriculture has complete knowledge on the subject,鈥� Qin Zhang said. 鈥淚t is truly a transdisciplinary team. Everyone provides expertise in their particular field. This integrated team is covering all knowledge to conduct this research.鈥�

 

Contacts:

• Qin Zhang, director and professor at 黑料社鈥檚 Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, 509-786-9360,听qinzhang@wsu.edu
• Xiao Zhang, associate professor at Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, 509-372-7647,听x.zhang@wsu.edu
• Changki Mo, 黑料社 Tri-Cities associate professor of mechanical engineering, 509-372-7296,听changki.mo@wsu.edu
• Matt Whiting, scientist and professor of horticulture at 黑料社鈥檚 Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, 509-786-9260,听mdwhiting@wsu.edu
• Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333,听maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Six student projects were presented with $3,000 as part of the Chancellor鈥檚 Summer Scholars program to pursue research in academic fields including environmental and biological sciences, viticulture and enology, mechanical and electrical engineering and fine arts.

The Chancellor鈥檚 Summer Scholars Program offers students the opportunity to work collaboratively with a faculty mentor, developing skills to prepare them for a career in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) or STEM-related fields. The projects are funded by Washington River Protection Solutions, with Atkins also providing funding for an engineering heat transfer project that is indicated below.

Addressing nutrient pollution in the Yakima River watershed

Student Rhenton Brimberry is working with Sarah Roley, assistant professor of environmental sciences, to study the effects of seasonal irrigation flows on microbes and algae in the Yakima River watershed. Microbes and algae can mitigate nutrient pollution by removing and processing excess nutrients, but most of these assessments have occurred in the non-irrigated midwestern United States. In the irrigated West, seasonal irrigation flows influence nutrient quantity and quality, and so may influence microbial nutrient uptake, as well. By examining algal and microbial responses to nutrient inputs, this project can inform management of nutrient pollution in irrigated agricultural watersheds.

A new method to quantifying mycorrhizal fungi to assist in rebuilding damaged ecosystems

Student Megan Brauner is working with Tanya Cheeke, assistant professor of biology, to develop and test a new molecular technique for quantifying mycorrhizal fungi in roots and soil. The fungi, known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, form symbiotic relationships with most plant species, and have been shown to improve native plant growth in disturbed ecosystems. However, quantifying mycorrhizal fungi from environmental samples remains difficult. Development of this technique will be useful for other fungal researchers and will allow further investigation into the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculations in ecological restorations.听

Effects of native and invasive plants on mycorrhizal colonization

Like Brauner, student Ella Krinitsyn, is working with assistant professor Cheeke on research pertaining to the use of mycorrhizal fungi to restore native plant populations. Her research focuses on on evaluating the correlation between the percentage of mycorrhizal fungi colonization and the percentage of native or invasive plants within sites they are hoping to restore at the Meyer鈥檚 Point Environmental Field Station in Olympia, Washington. The project will provide valuable information needed to find effective restoration strategies to improve the growth of native plants and mycorrhizal fungi in landscapes impacted by disturbances.

Manipulation of grape cluster thinning toward improving quality of wine grapes

Student Vince Hewett is working with Bhaskar Bondada, associate professor of wine science, to determine the effects of grape cluster thinning (tipping), removal of flowers and berries at different stages of grapevine development on fruit quality. Cluster thinning is a routine vineyard management practice intended to produce high-quality fruits by optimizing crop load, however, grape growers and wine makers are often not content with the fruit quality results of cluster thinning. The issue of poor fruit quality, despite taking thinning measure to improve berry composition, can be resolved by fine-tuning the cluster-thinning strategy.

Investigating heat transfer on a surface subject to nanoparticle coating

Student Abraham Martinez is working with Mohammed Noor-A-Alam, clinical assistant professor of mechanical engineering, to determine the effect that nanoparticles have on a standard heat transfer surface that can be applied to technology ranging from central processing units in computers to turbine systems where temperatures need to be maintained within a specific range. With the ongoing surge of nanoparticle research in various applications, there is little literature on the effect that nanoparticles have on heat transfer surfaces. The cooling of appliances that require heat transfer requires the design of a system that maximizes the amount of heat transfer between the components of interest and surrounding environment. Nanoparticle coatings on heat transfer surfaces can be used to enhance heat transfer.

Incorporating mechanical, electrical and artistic components to create 鈥淭he Plastic Garden鈥�

Students Amy Alvarado, Adriana Iturbe, Jared Johnson and Marsobyn Salalila are working with Sena Clara Creston, clinical assistant professor of fine arts and digital technology and culture, to blend their expertise in engineering and the arts to create a moveable and engaging 鈥淧lastic Garden鈥� that responds to its environment and aims to evoke emotional expression from its viewers. Specifically, the team will spend the summer using 3D printers, laser cutters and engineering techniques to create the inner mechanics of flowers within the garden, which will open and close as to respond to their environment. Upon end completion, the garden will feature a range of mechanically-based plants and creatures that respond to their environment.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Students will present on a range of research and course projects as part of the Washington State University Tri-Cities Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition, noon-1 p.m. May 1-3 in the Consolidated Information Center on campus.听

鈥淲e invite the public to join us for the symposium as it not only gives an insight into the incredible research and projects that our students have spent months and even semesters completing, but also provides students an opportunity to communicate those projects, further allowing them to practice the skills that they will take into their professional careers,鈥� said Allison L. Matthews, clinical assistant professor of psychology and coordinator for the symposium.

Presentations will take place in CIC 120, with Thursday鈥檚 presentations also taking place in the CIC Art Gallery. Different projects will be featured each day of the symposium. More than 200 projects will be on display throughout the three-day event.

Academic areas highlighted during the symposium include: biology, chemistry, engineering, English, environmental science, history, political science, psychology, computer science, digital technology and culture, and fine arts.

Some of the projects include:

• Ecological restoration using DNA extractions from soil samples.
• Tri-City Union Gospel Mission data analysis.
• Artax: A distributed real-time informatics system for mass spectrometry.
• Non-destructive tank inspection robot.
• SAE Aero Design 鈥� engineering of a small airplane.
• Interactive kinetic sculpture.
• Impulsivity facets and substance use disorder symptoms.

Media Contacts:

Allison L. Matthews, 黑料社 Tri-Cities clinical assistant professor of psychology, 509-372-7146, almatthews@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Five local freshman at Washington State University Tri-Cities are among the university鈥檚 latest class of STEM Scholars.

As part of earning the distinction, where STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the students are honored with a $8,400 per year scholarship and will join the university鈥檚 STEM Learning Community. The community consists of a cohort of students that pursue a range of extracurricular opportunities and activities in the STEM fields.

The students awarded include:

• Aaron Engebretson 鈥� Liberty Christian High School
• Jared Johnson 鈥� Richland High School
• Destiny Ledesma 鈥� Hanford High School
• Diamond Madden 鈥� Southridge High School
• Louis Theriault 鈥� Mid-Columbia Partnership

In order to be eligible for the program, students must have a minimum high school grade-point average of 3.75 based on a 4.0-scale, officially pursue a STEM-based major available at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, be enrolled as a full-time student at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, as well as actively participate in STEM Learning Community activities offered through the campus. Undergraduate majors eligible include: civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental sciences, general biological science, general mathematics and general physical sciences.

鈥淭he students selected display an incredible work-ethic and strong potential for careers in the STEM fields,鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities Chancellor Keith Moo-Young said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to offer them a variety of resources to propel them into their respective STEM majors, which will encourage them to lead their fellow students within those majors, pursue prominent research at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, as well as inspire future students to follow in their footsteps.鈥�

Kate McAteer, 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs, said the research component of the experience will provide the students with a solid foundation for their academic futures.

鈥淭hese STEM Scholars have the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research right from the beginning of their academic careers,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t provides them with an early start on building a solid foundation of skills required to be successful scientists and engineers.鈥�

Engebretson

Engebretson plans to major in engineering. In high school, he served as class president during his senior year and was his class valedictorian. He was a member of Key Club where he served as the vice president of the club. He received the Northwest Nazarene Bridge Academy Scholar Award for taking 15 or more college credits while in high school and maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA. He also received the Essence of Liberty Scholarship from Liberty Christian School. He hopes to one-day join Engineers Without Borders, which works with developing countries to find solutions for water supply, sanitation, agriculture and civil works. He also hopes to explore research in nuclear science while attending 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

鈥淭he STEM Scholars program is very important to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t will surround me with fellow students that are driven, intelligent and interested in STEM 鈥� STEM careers are on the forefront of modern-day advancements and research. From the future of cars, to the future of modern medicine, STEM Careers provide solutions to a variety of different problems and challenges.鈥�

Johnson

Johnson plans to major in electrical engineering. He is currently finishing his associate鈥檚 degree through Columbia Basin College鈥檚 running start program where he continues to receive high honors and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. At Richland High School, he earned Summa Cum Laude. Additionally, Johnson gives back to the community through his role with the National Honor Society, as well as helping with Second Harvest food distribution, tutoring high school math and assisting with various elementary school functions. He said he is looking forward to exploring the variety of research opportunities at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

鈥淲ith a STEM education, there will be many job opportunities and career advancements,鈥� he said. 鈥淪TEM subjects have always been interesting to me in school. 黑料社 Tri-Cities provides a wonderful university experience, while still having small classrooms for personalized education. 黑料社 Tri-Cities is also a high-ranking STEM university.鈥�

Ledesma

Ledesma plans to major in biology. In high school, she participated in the running start program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, in addition to serving as her class senator during her junior and senior years. It is with that role that she and her fellow peers brought back the 鈥淓very 15 Minutes Program,鈥� a two-day event that sheds light on drinking and driving. Ledesma also gives back to the community by volunteering every year with the Tri-Cities Union Gospel Mission where she makes dinner boxes for the homeless with her family. She also volunteers at the Tri-Cities Water Follies, where she has served in various roles throughout the last few years. She hopes to attend medical school and pursue either a career as a reconstructive surgeon or dermatologist. She looks forward to pursuing research opportunities at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, as well as getting involved with campus student government.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been such an honor and a blessing to have been able to receive such a prestigious scholarship,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have been truly blessed with this opportunity to further my education 鈥� It will help prepare me to take on professional life after college and into the workforce. This program has truly changed my life.鈥�

Madden

Madden plans to major in the physical sciences, with possibly an emphasis in chemistry. She earned 38 credits from Central Washington University鈥檚 running start program while she played softball, basketball and track and field for Southridge High School. Additionally, she played cello, violin and piano with the school鈥檚 orchestra, served in the school debate club, worked part-time for Tropical Sno and participated in the school鈥檚 Ignite program, which helps incoming freshmen transition to high school. She also volunteers occasionally with a local food bank. She hopes to pursue a career as a research scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has been a dream of hers for years.

鈥淲ords can鈥檛 even describe how much the STEM Scholars program means to me and my family,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing the second youngest of seven children in a single-income family, this gives me the assurance that I can continue and complete my education for a degree in the sciences 鈥� I believe 黑料社 is a remarkable college, with Tri-Cities being the perfect location for me and given the fact that the university partners with PNNL.鈥�

Theriault

Theriault plans to major in civil engineering. In high school, as a home-schooled student, he participated in the 黑料社 Tri-Cities running start program, which is what helped him decide on attending 黑料社 Tri-Cities for his undergraduate degree. Over the years, he volunteered to help the Academy of Children鈥檚 theater put on its summer camps, helped at his home school program鈥檚 鈥淐amp Invention鈥� and continues to serve as a camp counselor for numerous camps, including for the upcoming STEM Camps at 黑料社 Tri-Cities this July. He hopes to participate in 黑料社鈥檚 engineering study abroad opportunity at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences while earning his undergraduate degree at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. After graduation, he hopes to serve as a civil engineer, working possibly around the United States or for an international engineering firm.

鈥淭he STEM Scholars Award means the world to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 believe that I would be one of the chosen people when I signed up. It is going to help me pay for almost all of my college and help me save money for my future 鈥� I want to pursue a career in the STEM fields because I want to be able to make a difference in the world.鈥�