‘We were all inspired by science’

As an American high school student walked throughout China and met local students, she realized in spite of their different language and culture, “we were all inspired by the same thing — science.”

Despite the difference in background, culture, and language, we were all inspired by science.

Katie Younglove, a 2016 Intel ISEF finalist, recently returned to the U.S. after a special awards trip to China. The group of finalists chosen to travel to China spent over a week visiting several cities, schools, and other students interested in STEM.

The finalists hail from Boulder, Colorado, a small college town. In comparison, Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai all had an electrifying feeling, Katie said.

“I was unable to really grasp the idea of going to China even as we stepped onto the tarmac,” Katie said. “Despite our awe and disbelief, some 10,550 kilometers, two books, and one movie later we landed in Beijing. The next 12 days were only more surreal and amazing.”

“Walking in the cities and talking to students at the local high schools was amazing,” she said. “I realized that despite the difference in background, culture, and language, we were all inspired by the same thing — science.”

The finalists experienced a remarkable connection to the Chinese students they met. Science brought them, and can bring the world, together.

I feel emboldened to use science as a tool to bring about connections across the globe.

“It’s hard to describe the incredible feeling of connectedness I felt towards the students, especially one girl who was also interested in studying dye removal,” Katie said. “I feel emboldened to use science as a tool to bring about connections across the globe.”