Posted by Greta on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 in News.

Last April, four SSMV seniors won the top prize at the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science meeting for their group project, Characterization of β-glucosidase in Indigenous and Domesticated Mushrooms under Assorted Condition. In addition to a cash prize, they were also invited to represent Tennessee at the American Junior Academy of Science meeting in Chicago, which took place last week.

The students shared their work through both oral and poster presentations to other high school researchers from across the country. In addition, they had the opportunity to attend sessions of the American Academy of Sciences meeting where they heard presentations by Steven Chu, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Nobel Prize winner, and Alan Alda (science communication enthusiast and yes, the actor from MASH). They also had meals with scientists from various disciplines and visited Ferbmilab and Northwestern University. A trip to Chicago is never complete without a deep dish pizza and a photo opportunity at Millennium Park. Thanks, students, for representing Tennessee so well!