63rd Annual STS (2003-2004)
Finalists
Maria Lynn Michta

NEW YORK
Maria Lynn Michta, 17, of Nesconset, created a meteor detection system for her Intel Science Talent Search project in earth and space sciences. Maria designed a three-element Yagi antenna (a sharply directional antenna array optimized for gain, frequency and selectivity), attached it to a VHF radio receiver, and designed a data reduction algorithm to run on her microcomputer. Using her homemade device, Maria was able to detect meteor ionization trails as reflected off radio waves, even in poor weather conditions. By comparing her data to International Meteor Organization data, she believes she validated her novel detection method, which could be used to ensure the quality of artificial satellites in space. After graduating from Sachem North High School in Lake Ronkonkoma, Maria plans to attend the University of Connecticut. Her hobbies include track, violin and volunteering as a physical therapist. An avid athlete, Maria has earned national recognition for race walking, and she hopes to represent the United States in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games. The winner of numerous academic and athletic honors, Maria is the daughter of Richard and Susan Michta.