Cd'A Charter student wins top award in national science competition
Abigail Stephens received a $13,500 scholarship from the Idaho National Laboratory to attend the University of Tampa with a double major in marine science and marine biology.
Photo courtesy of Abigail Stephens
A Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy senior won the top scholar award in the Idaho National Laboratory’s 2023 Bright Future in Energy Scholarship Competition.
Abigail Stephens wowed the judges with her research and presentations, which focused on how nuclear energy and carbon capture technologies could move the nation closer to net-zero emissions. Abigail earned a $13,500 scholarship.
“This scholarship required extensive research and preparation for a live virtual presentation followed by questions and answers and I am so honored and appreciative to be selected as their top scholar,” Abigail said in a news release.
This annual scholarship competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who are interested in postsecondary education and careers focused on science, technology, engineering or math. The funding for these scholarships was provided by Battelle Energy Alliance, which manages the Idaho National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy.
Jennifer Jackson, Idaho National Laboratory’s STEM education program manager, said Abigail and runner-up, Elsa Cutler of Washington, D.C., rose to the top with their research and presentations.
“This is a highly competitive scholarship program with impressive submissions from all over the country,” Jackson said. “They are exceptional, bright students and we are excited to help them pursue a STEM education.”
For the competition, students were invited to consider and research science-related questions and prepare virtual presentations for an expert panel of judges. The topics focused on nuclear energy, the environment or protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.
Abigail researched the question, “How do we develop a truly sustainable recycling method that is economically feasible, environmentally responsible and socially justifiable? What role can such a program play in helping the world achieve a future with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions?”
She explored whether limiting carbon dioxide emissions from coal power plants through deep-sea carbon dioxide injection is a sustainable recycling method. The ocean naturally captures carbon dioxide and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
“I've also recently committed to the University of Tampa for the fall to double major in marine science biology with admission to their honors program,” Abigail said. “I'm excited to research right away as I've been selected for their unique undergraduate research program.”
Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner said it is encouraging to see so many students engaged in such important issues.
“By participating in this competition, these high school juniors and seniors gain a deeper understanding of how clean, secure and reliable energy changes lives,” he said. “These are our future problem-solvers. And, given the quality of submissions we received, I am confident our world is in good hands.”