News Science & Society

Intel Science Talent Search spotlights America’s whiz kids

This year's winning high schooler takes top prize for work on space navigation

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

YOUNG SCIENTIST Erika DeBenedictis, 18, won first place in the Intel Science Talent Search for writing navigation software for spacecraft traveling an interplanetary superhighway. She presented her research at the National Academy of Sciences March 14. Chris Ayers/Intel STS

Ten of the nation’s most innovative scientists convened in Washington this week to receive their version of Olympic Gold — temporarily putting aside their homework to do so.