59th Annual STS (1999–2000)
Finalists
Jonathan Donald Williams

NORTH CAROLINA
Jonathan Donald Williams, 17, of Cleveland, investigated ways to reduce hurricane damage to flat roofs for his Intel Science Talent Search project in engineering. Buildings that lose their roofs during hurricanes suffer the greatest rain damage and cause the highest insurance claims. Jonathan tested designs of certain parapets-structures resembling upside-down airplane wings-built on the corners of flat roofs to see if the roofs became less vulnerable to lifting forces during high winds. Testing his designs in a sophisticated wind tunnel using yarn, pebbles, lasers and smoke, he observed that the parapets exerted downward pressure crucial in holding the corners of the roof in place. First in his class of 224 at West Rowan High School in Mt. Ulla, Jonathan is active in the key club and quiz bowl and has lettered in cross country and swimming. As a sophomore and junior, he won the fourth-place grand award in engineering at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. An eagle scout, he is a Habitat for Humanity volunteer who enjoys piano, guitar, golf, camping and skiing. The son of Fred and Mary Lou Williams, Jonathan plans to study civil engineering at Clemson.