EMPOWERED to Change the World The 2013 Google Scien

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The 2013 Goo
“It’s your turn to change the world.” This is the
sentence that inspires thousands of young scientists,
engineers, and inventors from around the world to
submit their projects to the Google Global Science
Fair. In 2013, Valerie Ding was one of them. Here, she
describes the competition process and explains how
the benefits extend far beyond the competition itself.
by Valerie Ding
In the summer of 2012, I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of visiting CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in Geneva,
Switzerland. I had won the trip—the CERN Award, given to 12 students each
year—at the 2012 Intel ISEF. It was my first year at ISEF, and I was thrilled
that my experience would continue into the summer.
My ISEF project had focused on LEDs. But while talking to the world’s
leading solar cell researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,
which we visited while at CERN, I became interested in a promising new
technology called quantum dot solar cells, which have the potential to be
produced less expensively and to operate more efficiently than conventional
solar cells. When I returned home, I was determined to do my part to help
bring this technology to fruition. Combining quantum physics, computer
programming, and Earth science, I developed a method to double the efficiency of quantum dot solar cells.
I spent months conducting research and synthesizing my findings. When I
heard about the Google Science Fair, I saw it as the perfect chance to spread the
word about quantum dot solar cells: Google would provide a powerful, international, and instant connection to students and researchers around the world.
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Online and On My Way
Through the Google Science Fair website, I submitted an application that
described my project, my career goals, and my involvement with science,
technology, engineering, and math. A few months passed as the judges read
through the applications and selected the 90 regional finalists. I was ecstatic
to see online that I was one of them. Now I had to make it through the next
round, which would determine the top 15 Global Finalists.
A representative from Google called to arrange an interview time, and
I soon found myself explaining my research and goals to two judges—but,
unlike any other interview I had ever done, this one was conducted via
Google Hangouts. The judges asked a range of questions, including how I
thought my project would change the world. When the 15-minute allotted
time was up, we mutually waved goodbye and clicked Exit. I was relieved but
nervous; I would be crossing my fingers for another few weeks.
The final announcement aired in the summer of 2013 on Google
Hangouts On Air, a live program broadcast on YouTube. I tuned in, listening
as the Global Finalists in each age category were announced. When I heard
my own name, I was shocked and incredibly humbled.
Mar/Apr 2014
professional insights about everything from patenting to startups to techIn September 2013, I traveled from Oregon to Google Headquarters in nology corporations. Conversations with reporters from ABC, National
Mountain View, California, where I met my fellow finalists who came from Geographic, and Scientific American were also enlightening and unique
countries including Greece, Turkey, Singapore, Canada, India, and Russia. privileges, as these reporters were able to discuss the international market for
From the day we arrived in California, we immediately became a close my project as well as the state of world energy.
community. Our first activity together was inspiring: a presentation about
“moonshots”—reaching for a goal that may seem impossible at first but The Real Prize
becomes attainable through teamwork and creative thought—and an enlight- At the awards ceremony, we were each awarded the Finalist Prize,
ening discussion with representatives of Google[x], Google’s “secret facility.” which—aside from the Global Finalist honor and the entire (priceless) expeThe next morning, we toured the Google campus. After eating breakfast at rience—included a Chromebook Pixel, a Nexus 7, a LEGO MINDSTORMS
the world-famous complimentary gourmet dining hall for Google employees, we kit, two LEGO TECHNIC sets, and subscriptions to Scientific American and
biked around campus on corporate bikes. We each got to take rides in Google’s National Geographic. But far more lasting for me was the amazing platform
self-driving cars and chat with Google’s testing engineers, who described their for interaction and communication with the world’s leading scientists that
work as “the best job in the world.” Then
Google provided.
we talked with the makers of Google
The Google Science Fair has opened
Glass, a wearable computing device that
many doors for me. I was one of two
functions like a smartphone and looks
2013 Global Finalists chosen by Google
like a futuristic pair of glasses, before tryto represent the nation’s youth at the
ing them on ourselves.
2013 Congressional Panel on Women
In the afternoon, we focused once
in STEM, which allowed me to discuss
again on our own projects. We set up
national science education at the White
our slides to project onto screens during
House with U.S. Chief Technology
judging, pieced together LEGO repreOfficer Todd Park and other senior offisentations of our projects, and prepared
cials specializing in STEM. Professors
for the first round of finals.
and research groups at the top of my
Valerie explains her project to Dr. Rich DeVaul of the Google[x]
research field have contacted me,
Rapid Evaluation Team.
expressed interest in my work, and
Go!
provided
feedback
and
encouragement
regarding the applicability of my
Each of the finalists had about five minutes with each of the 15 judges, who
rotated from one finalist to the next. I was speaking with judges nonstop, and work and future directions. Sweety High, an influential news station and
time flew by as I described my project and answered questions from the judges— community for preteen and teenage girls, also contacted me, and through
all distinguished scientists and researchers such as Sir Harry Kroto (1996 Nobel collaboration with them, I have had a platform to advance my mission of
Prize in Chemistry), Dr. Soyeon Yi (first Korean astronaut), and executives from encouraging girls and women to embrace science and engineering.
The Google Science Fair has propelled me and my fellow finalists to new
National Geographic, LEGO, Scientific American, and, of course, Google.
After speaking with each of the judges, I delivered a five-minute presenta- heights in the scientific and tech community. I now have a patent pending on the
tion to the entire judging panel. During the 10-minute question-and-answer method I devised to make quantum solar dots more efficient, and I am working
session that followed, judges asked questions that probed to the heart of on expanding and improving my idea and model. I continue in my quest to
quantum physics. One judge asked me to describe in detail the quantum positively and meaningfully influence my community and change the world.
mechanical absorption coefficient, something usually covered in depth only
in graduate-level courses. Luckily, I had perused many internet resources on
Valerie Ding, a junior at The Catlin Gabel School in
the topic over the course of my background research.
Portland, OR, is the president of the Catlin Gabel Mu
These were intense but edifying rounds where I was able to express my
Alpha Theta chapter and captain of the Science Bowl,
ideas and receive helpful and positive feedback from the judges. Some judges
Science Olympiad, and Math Teams. She has received
also proposed research areas that I might look into next and suggested where
numerous international, national, and state science and
I might expand my work. This was invaluable advice that I will take into my
math awards as well as awards for piano, and she has
future research and hopefully a career in energy technology.
performed concertos with professionals of the
The next day, when the exhibit hall opened to the public, we had opporGrammy-awarded Oregon Symphony and Oregon
tunities to connect with and garner feedback from a wide community Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Valerie is a Caroline D. Bradley Scholar and a
of educators, science writers, and entrepreneurs, who relayed invaluable Davidson Young Scholar.
ANDREW FEDERMAN
Ready, Set ...
www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine
imagine
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