January 16th Viking Update

Spring Valley Senior Named One of Nation’s Top Scientists in Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024

Spring Valley Discovery senior, Ava Phelps, has been named Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024 Scholar. The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS), a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science and math competition. Alumni of STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world’s most distinguished science and math honors, including the Nobel Prize and the National Medal of Science.

Society for Science (the Society) today announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The 300 scholars will be awarded $2,000 each and their schools will be awarded $2,000 for each enrolled scholar.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 2,162 entrants from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico and 10 other countries – the highest number of entrants since 1969 and an increase of over 200 from 2023. Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and demonstration of exceptional promise as leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through original, independent research projects, essays, and recommendations. The 300 scholars hail from 196 American and international high schools in 36 states and China.

The full list of scholars can be viewed here.

“Congratulations to the top 300 scholars in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. “We received a record-breaking number of applications this year; interest in this prestigious competition is at an all-time high. I am truly impressed by the quality of the projects and the ingenuity that each student brings to the competition. Their diligence, passion, and perseverance should be celebrated.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are generating innovative solutions to solve significant global challenges through rigorous research and discoveries. The competition provides students with a national stage to present new ideas and challenge conventional ways of thinking.

Now in its 102nd year, The Society has played a significant role in educating the public about scientific discoveries as well as in identifying future leaders in STEM. Regeneron has sponsored the Science Talent Search since 2017 as part of its deep commitment to supporting young scientists and future scientific innovation.

This year, research projects cover topics from artificial intelligence/machine learning assistance and detection to climate change prevention for wildfires, floods to drug discovery and more. Other students chose to focus on ways to tackle other pressing societal issues like teen mental health, anxiety, and suicide. With a total of 19 research categories, the top 5 categories among scholars’ projects this year include: Environmental Science, Medicine & Health, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Behavioral and Social Sciences.

“Congratulations to the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024 scholars, whose exceptional projects demonstrate their ability to use science to improve the world,” said Christina Chan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Regeneron. “In partnership with the Society, we are proud to provide this prestigious national platform that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards students for their curiosity and innovation and encourages them to push the boundaries of science to tackle society’s most pressing issues.”

On January 24, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 6-13, 2024.

For over eight decades the Science Talent Search has rewarded talented high school seniors who dedicate countless hours to original research projects and present their results in rigorous reports that resemble graduate school theses. Collectively, Science Talent Search alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and won Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships, and many other accolades.

Important Dates for 2024:

Top 40 Finalists Announced: January 24, 2024
Regeneron STS Finals Week: March 7-13, 2024
Public Exhibition of Projects: March 10, 2024
Winners Announced at Awards Ceremony: March 12, 2024

Resources:

About the Regeneron Science Talent Search

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science since 1942, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Each year, more than 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring and engaging the nation’s most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

In 2017, Regeneron became only the third sponsor of the Science Talent Search to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM as a way to positively impact the world. Through its 10-year, $100 million commitment, Regeneron nearly doubled the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000 and doubling the awards for the top 300 scholars to $2,000 and their schools to $2,000 for each enrolled scholar to inspire more young people to engage in science.

Learn more at https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/.

About Society for Science

Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its outreach and equity programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).

Media Contact
Gayle Kansagor, Society for Science
703-489-1131, gkansagor@societyforscience.org

Congratulations Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt !

Congratulations to Spring Valley English teacher Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt for being chosen as a TED Talk Speaker. Click the link above to watch her TEDx talk:”Generations of Learning: A Lifelong Journey from College Dropout to Inspiring Educator.”

Meet Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt: From Dropout to Inspirational Educator!

Get ready to be inspired by the incredible journey of Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt, a remarkable member of the Board of Directors for Palmetto Pride Sports and a dedicated educator at Spring Valley High School!

In this captivating presentation, Dr. Wendy takes us on a transformative odyssey, highlighting the power of resilience, family support, and personal determination. From facing early challenges and being a college dropout due to family responsibilities to earning not one, but three degrees, Dr. Wendy’s story is a testament to the unstoppable spirit of lifelong learning and the pursuit of dreams.

Key Takeaways:
Family as the Pillar: Discover how Dr. Wendy’s unwavering family support became the driving force behind her academic journey, propelling her to overcome obstacles and embrace education as a lifeline.
The Evolution of a Passionate Educator: Explore Dr. Wendy’s transformation from a nontraditional student to an inspirational educator. Witness her dedication to instilling the love of learning in her students and bridging diverse ideas in the classroom.
Legacy of Perseverance: Learn about Dr. Wendy’s father, Willie Lloyd Harriford, Jr., a key figure in Columbia’s civil rights movement, whose legacy continues through her commitment to education and empowerment.

Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt’s story is a beacon of hope, reminding us that obstacles are stepping stones to greatness. Join us at TEDx to witness her inspiring journey and celebrate the enduring power of education! #GenerationsOfLearning #EducationalEmpowerment #TEDxTalk #ResilienceInEducation

Auditions for the Spring Musical

Come out and audition for SV Players’ spring Musical Alice by Heart. You will need a signed parent sheet and come prepared to sing 30 seconds to one minute of a song that shows off your voice acapella. You DO NOT have to be in a Theater Class or Chorus Class– this is open to all Spring Valley Students!! Please sign up for a time outside of Mrs. Curtis’ Room- Room A-119. Please email Mrs. Curtis at vcurtis@richland2.org if you have any questions.

Just Socks January

Throughout January, Key Club is collecting socks for the homeless in our community. You can help support by donating in front of the school on Wednesday mornings drop off a NEW pair of socks in the Atrium or E303!

Adopt-a-Stream

Members of the Adopt-a-Stream club (Drake Locklear, Kiri Yo, Amaar Tisdale, and Aadarsh Pate) with the club sponsors Melissa Dissinger and Ramona Saracila participated in cleaning a river activity conducted by the Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler. Together with other volunteers, Spring Valley students and teachers picked up an estimated 1000 lb of trash from the creek by Olympia Avenue, Columbia.