Wehr science student of the year

Thorsen Wehr was reading a Popular Science magazine one day, and in an article saw listed the Top Ten Brilliant Minds. One person, a researcher at Cal Tech, was trying to focus sound like people focus light with a magnifying glass. Thor thought he would give that a try and began working on something somewhat similar, but different enough to call it his own. After some time, he e-mailed the Cal Tech researcher, Dr. Daraio, and she e-mailed him copies of her work to study. She said that when he finished his research, he should e-mail her a copy of his paper for her to look over.

Thor completed his research and competed at the High School Symposium in Spokane, earning second place as an 8th grader. Then he earned first place overall at the Regional Science Fair and recently earned first place overall for his category, the K-12 Division, and earned the C.J. Croswaite Science Student of the Year award. As a result, he entered the BroadCom Master’s program, and if selected, will present his research project in Washington DC at a presidential forum. He also earned a position at this summer’s Cougar Science Camp in Pullman, Wash.

Thor submitted his research paper to his new friend, Dr. Daraio, and she said she was amazed at the quality of his work. She e-mailed him back, inviting him and me to Cal Tech as the school’s guests to present his research to the Aeronautics and Applied Physics team.

Over spring break we found two tickets waiting for us at the Spokane Airport, and we flew to Pasadena. They put us up in a nearby hotel, and we walked onto the prestigious campus. Thorsen met with Dr. Daraio, and they visited for an hour about their research. She was incredible, and the two of them hit it off immediately.

We all then went to the Guggenheim Conference Room where Thor gave his presentation to about 20 top physicists at Cal Tech. He did not show any sign of nervousness, and the physicists were very impressed with his poise, command of the room and his presentation. The next presenter was a scientist working with NASA’s newest space telescope, who jokingly commented that he had a tough act to follow!

As a high school science teacher and advisor to students enrolled in his Advanced Science Research class, Jeff Wehr is understandably proud of the successes his students have achieved. However, he writes this article from the perspective of a father fully engaged in nurturing his children’s educational efforts. Both of his children, Thorsen and Kiegan, participated in the State Science and Engineering Fair held April 1 and 2 in Bremerton.