60th Annual STS (2000–2001)
Finalists
Johanna Beth Waldman

NEW YORK
Johanna Beth Waldman, 17, of Roslyn, focused on factors affecting student cheating behaviors for her Intel Science Talent Search project in behavioral and social sciences. In conducting her study, Johanna used four questionnaires-including one she created and tested herself, and two that she modified. These were distributed to 224 students (ages 15-17) at a privately run summer program at UCLA. Johanna reports that although half of her subjects expressed disapproval of cheating, more than 90% admitted to practicing some cheating behaviors. Her data analysis suggests that academic pressure (parental, peers, self) and goal orientation (learning or grades) are two of the most influential factors. First in a class of 212 at Roslyn High School in Roslyn Heights, Johanna edits the school paper, is president of Model Congress, and forensics debate captain. She has qualified for New York State Championship Tournaments in forensics, received the Wellesley Book Award, and the Xerox Award for Humanities and Social Sciences. Johanna hopes to attend Stanford, and plans a career in experimental psychology or medical research. She is the daughter of Neal and Julie Waldman.