Discovery Names
"America's Top Young Scientist of the Year"
In Washington, DC

(Washington, D.C. - October 25, 2001) - Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) and Society for Science & the Public have named Branson Sparks, 14, of Alexandria, LA, "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year" and the first place winner of the 3rd annual Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (DYSC). Branson was awarded the top prize - a $15,000 scholarship - at an awards ceremony held today at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Branson won first place for his original science project titled, "Dismissed!" as well as for the skills he demonstrated in the competition in leadership, teamwork, scientific problem solving, critical thinking, and especially in communication. For his "Dismissed!" project, Branson wrote a computer program to ease his school's end-of-day dismissal process. Branson's former middle school, Alexandria Country Day School, uses the program, for which he holds a copyright. He plans to pursue a career in computers, and he likes to ponder ethical issues surrounding technology. Branson, a ninth grade student at Bolton High School, beat out 39 fellow DYSC Finalists for the top prize.

Andrea Hanick, 13, of Heathrow, FL won a second prize scholarship of $7,500. Her original science fair project is titled, "The Trouble with Double Dipping." Andrea is an eighth grade student at Annunciation Catholic Academy.

Catharine Kuber, 14, of Clovis, CA won a third prize scholarship of $3,750. Her original science fair project is titled, "How Does Temperature Affect Serum Formation in Dairy Cattle?" Catharine is an eighth grade student at Reyburn Intermediate School.

The announcement culminated a week of competition among 40 of America's best and brightest young scientists. The 40 DYSC Finalists are from 18 states and range in age from 11-14. They spent the week in Washington, D.C., working with Smithsonian scientists, historians and educators on sophisticated science challenges related to genetic mapping, animal behavior and plant physiology.

"The events of the last month underscore that science, and ongoing, aggressive scientific inquiry, are critical to our everyday lives. Branson Sparks and the other Finalists are an elite group. They represent the best of our country and the bright future of the next generation of American leaders," said John S. Hendricks, Chairman and CEO of Discovery Communications. "Discovery, as a leading global media company, is committed to fostering the intellectual growth of youth around the world through the highest-quality programming and services. As such, Discovery is extremely proud to have hosted the DYSC and to have furthered the science interests of these amazing boys and girls."

The following 13 special prizes were awarded to Finalists who excel in specific science disciplines and demonstrate particular skills:

• SeaWorld and Busch Gardens "Adventures in Science" TEAM Award - The Finalists competed in eight teams of five students each during the week. On Thursday, October 25, three top teams will compete in a final challenge immediately prior to the top awards announcement at the National Zoo. The team that most successfully uses a mirror and a protractor to hit a distant bullseye with a laser will win this award. The winning team will participate in an "Adventure Camp" experience at a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens world famous park. Winners will explore the world of animals by participating in hands-on activities. The winning team exemplifies good teamwork, excellent communication skills, patience, courtesy, conflict management skills, cooperation and the ability to quickly develop effective problem solving strategy.
  
  
• Discovery Channel "Enthusiasm for Discovery" Award - Jarrett Remsberg, 12, of Middletown, MD, won a trip to the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota to witness an archaeological excavation. This award recognizes the Finalist who best characterizes a dedication to and enthusiasm for discovery, who displays an interest in the unknown, and whose work displays originality of thought and understanding.
  
  
• TLC "Techno-Challenge" Award - Bethany Vitaris, 14, of Worcester, MA, will attend the Pittsburgh Sci-Tech Festival, where she will be the honorary assistant to the Long Brothers, the international "Junkyard Wars" champions. "Junkyard Wars" is TLC's hit series that pits two mechanically minded teams against each other to develop the "challenge" of the day out of parts and scraps they find in a junkyard. This award recognizes the Finalist who exhibits "techno talent" -- technical creativity, innovation and imagination.
  
  
• Travel Channel "Dream Science Trip" Award - Cara Chang, 12, of Kaneohe, HI, won her "dream science trip" fulfilled by the Travel Channel. To be considered for this prize, Finalists wrote an essay of 250 words or less beginning with the phrase, "My dream science trip would be…" Cara's dream science trip will take her to Melbourne, Australia, to learn more about scientific breakthroughs happening at the forefront of stem cell research, at Monash University and Eliza Hall Institute. Cara is interested in stem cell research because both of her grandfathers are showing signs of disease and may benefit from new stem cell treatments. By exploring the possibilities that stem cells hold for curing diseases, Cara hopes to do her part in making the world a better place.
  
  
• Animal Planet "Emergency Vet" Award - Brad Westrich, 13, of Edgewood, NM, won a trip to Denver, Colorado for an experience as an "Emergency Vet" at the Alameda East Veterinary Hospital -- site of Animal Planet's hit television series, "Emergency Vets". This award recognizes the Finalist who demonstrates a continued and consistent interest in living things and systems.
  
  
• Discovery Science Channel FIRST Robotics Award - Winston Larson, 13, of Springville, UT, won a trip to Orlando, Florida in 2002 for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) National Robotics Championship. Winston will meet FIRST founder and noted inventor, Dean Kamen, and get a front row seat while more than 300 teams compete in the final round of the competition. This award recognizes the Finalist who displays a consistent pattern of hard work and tenacity towards solving problems and completing their scientific work; the Finalist who reflects Edison's theory on genius being "2% inspiration and 98% perspiration."
  
  
• University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy TOPS - "Reaching for the Stars" Award - Melissa Lamberton, 14, of Tucson, AZ, won the opportunity to participate in a two-week astronomy workshop held on Hawaii's Big Island during June 2002. Combining participation from teachers and students, the program, "TOPS" (Toward Other Planetary Systems), introduces participants to astronomical research taking place in Hawaii, around the world, and in space, to search for evidence of planet formation in other solar systems and for life elsewhere. This award will go to the Finalist who best demonstrates a mastery of observational technique and exhibits a consistent pattern of perceptive data analysis.
  
  
• "Smithsonian Institution's National Musuem for Natural History "Young Naturalist" Award - Emily Munday, 12, of Butte, MT, has been invited to return to Washington, D.C., to spend five days behind-the-scenes at the National Museum of Natural History, where she will take part in the day-to-day activities of various museum departments. This award recognizes the Finalist who demonstrates a long-standing dedication to and interest in natural history.
  
  
• "Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History "Young Innovator" Award - Jesse Castillo, 14, of Bernalillo, NM, will spend a day in Washington D.C. at the National Museum of American History, where he will lunch with a Nobel laureate and participate in a symposium related to the Museum's exhibition and program series, "Nobel!" This award recognizes the Finalist who best demonstrates scientific vision, creative thinking and inventive problem solving.
  
  
• Department of Commerce Award for Technology - Danny Hong, 11, of Hopewell Junction, NY, won the Youth Technology Award as well as the opportunity to return to Washington, D.C. for the White House Ceremony honoring the nation's major technology achievers, the 2001 National Medal of Technology laureates. This award recognizes the Finalist most accomplished and adept at using technology in their scientific work.
  
  
• National Park Service "National Park Explorer" Award - Benjamin Fruits, 13, of New Port Richey, FL, will visit Fire Island National Seashore, an important habitat for many species of plants and animals outside New York City. Benjamin will help National Park Service scientists and volunteers study amphibians and reptiles, and monitor an endangered bird, the piping plover, which nests at the Seashore. This award recognizes the Finalist who emerges as a leader through cooperation and teamwork.
  
  
• University of California at Santa Barbara "Marine Science Institute" Award - Cole Sullivan, 13, of Vero Beach, FL, will travel to Santa Barbara, CA and spend 3-5 days working with scientists from the University of California, Santa Barbara Marine Science Institute. There, he will participate in coastal ocean research, to include the near-shore marine environment along the South Coast of California (including Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands.) This award recognizes the Finalist who best demonstrates superior knowledge and application of an interdisciplinary approach to solving science challenges, and a superior appreciation of the complexity of biology and related science fields.
  
  
• Polaroid "Visual Learning" Award - Hillary Giacomelli, 13, of Falmouth, MA, won a Digital Camera Kit from Polaroid. This award recognizes the Finalist who demonstrates the best use of visual communication skills.

###

The DYSC was created in 1999 to address America's lagging achievement in math and science. The contest nurtures effective communication skills and young students' interest in and understanding of science - crucial competencies needed in today's technology-driven economy and in a world that continues to face controversial and complex scientific issues like cloning and genetic mapping. More than 4,000 middle school students have entered the DYSC since its inception.

More information about the 40 Finalists and the competition is available at www.discovery.com/dysc. More information about the contest is also available by tuning into Discovery Science Channel, the on-air home of the DYSC. Discovery Science Channel is available on digital cable nationwide; call your local cable or satellite provider for availability in your area.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 155 countries and territories with over 650 million total subscribers. DCI's 33 networks of distinctive programming represent 14 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, and a family of digital channels. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery.com and 165 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States.

Society for Science & the Public, one of the most respected non-profit organizations advancing the cause of science. Society for Science & the Public has a sterling reputation for conducting high-quality competitions on the national and international level, including the Intel Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.