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SSPFellowDanielNewmyer inspireshisunder-served studentsthroughindependent researchopportunitieswith supportfromSSP. ScienceNews provides comprehensive coverageofthe latestscientific discoveries suchasnew theoriesonwhythe earthhaswaterandcurrent researchintogeneticdiversity.

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SSP Alumni Share their Research with President Obama atthe White House

“Itwasaneye-openingandaffirmative experience.Whenyougetrecognitionlike this,itmotivatesyoutocontinueyour work.”

Educate.

ByStephenOrnes

Inthefallof2007,duringherfreshman yearofhighschool,Raina Jainundertook ascienceexperimentoncelbehavior. Shecouldneverhaveguessedthatthree yearslater,she’dbetalkingaboutitwith PresidentBarackObama. Butthat’sexactlywhathappened.On

Jain,nowasenioratFreedomHigh SchoolinBethlehem,Pennsylvania,won fourthplaceintheIntelInternational ScienceandEngineeringFair(IntelISEF), aprogramofSSP, in2008.Shesaysshe planstostudyscience—possiblymedicine

October18,Jainjoineddozensofother youngscientistsatthefirst-everWhite HouseScienceFair.Thiswasnoordinary sciencefair—therewerenojudgesnor prizes,andtheattendeesincludedthe President,membersofhisstaff,andsome sciencecelebritiessuchasTVpersonalities andhighrankinggovernmentofficials.The eventwasmorelikeacelebrationofrising starsofresearch,allofwhomwerewinners ofnationalscienceandmathcompetitions. “Itwassurreal,”Jainsaysofthebigday.

Exhibitsweresetupinafirstfloor receptionareaandintheStateDining Room,wherethePresidentfoundoutwhat thenation’sbrightestyoungscientistsare thinkingabout.Hemetarobotthatcould playsoccer,learnedaboutanewwayto