58th Annual STS (1998–1999)
Finalists
Kirsten Graham Wickelgren

Kirsten Graham Wickelgren, 17, of New York, got the original idea for her Intel Science Talent Search physics project in a subway station. She observed how the station's peculiar slope collects and distributes light from approaching trains. Later, in a summer program at Caltech, Kirsten began work that eventually became her Search entry—use of a string theory equation to recalculate the sun's deflection of light. Einstein's theory of relativity suggests that mass warps the space around it. Consequently, the familiar Pythagorean theorem can't accurately compute distances in curved space. String theory attempts to resolve such contradictions with a logically consistent set of rules. At Stuyvesant High School, she is a mathematics team captain and has played soccer. She scored a perfect 1600 on her SATs. In 1996, Kirsten tied for first place with four U.S. students in the Atlantic-Pacific High School Mathematics Competition. Her extracurricular interests include pottery, voice and piano. Kirsten hopes to study mathematics at Harvard. She is the daughter of Drs. Wayne A. Wickelgren and Norma Graham.

Back to List of 1999 Intel Science Talent Search Finalists