Three hundred of America's high school seniors, including one from Plainview-Old Bethpage, were recently honored for their excellence in science as they reached the semifinals of the Intel Science Talent Search (STS). Often considered the "Junior Nobel Prize," the Intel STS is America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition.

"Intel is committed to being a catalyst for change in the effort to improve science and math education," said Carlene Ellis, Intel vice president and director of education. "At a time when America's students are ranked below their international peers in science and math, the Intel STS provides the opportunity to recognize the competition's participants and their schools for the outstanding results they've achieved."

Courtney Drayer, a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, was honored for her project entitled Petrographic and Geochemical Analysis of Mesozoic Fossils to Evaluate Potential for Direct Dating with Emphasis on Uranium.

Through her research, Drayer attempted to develop a direct technique to date fossils. "I looked at the fossils that I used in thin sections first to try and determine where the preserved organic material was that would represent the age of the fossil," said Drayer. "I used some of the facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory to identify the chemicals and elements in the fossils to see if they could be dated."

Drayer worked in a paleontology lab and then switched to a geology lab, developing many connections along the way. "I used my connections there to obtain fossils and to work with the geochemist," said Drayer, whose mentor Dr. Troy Rasbury from the State University of New York's geoscience department helped her along the way.

Drayer is still waiting to hear from a program at the University of Miami called the Dual Enrollment Honors Marine Geology Program, a five-year program. "I really want to be accepted to the program," said Drayer, who wants to continue her research and study biology. "At the completion of the five years, you get your BS and MS."

The STS semifinalists were selected from 1,562 applicants, with females representing 48 percent of the total. The students represent 31 states, Washington D.C. and Guam, and range in age from 16 to 19.

Students were judged based on their individual research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. The research projects cover all disciplines of science, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, social science and biology. All Intel STS entries were reviewed and judged by top scientists from a variety of disciplines. Dr. Andrew Yeager of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center oversaw the judging process. Science Service, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of science through publications and educational programs, has administered the program since its inception in 1942.

Drayer will receive $1,000 in recognition of her scientific achievements. In addition, the school will receive $1,000 per semifinalist in support of science and math programs.