Thursday, March 20, 2008
Governor Culver Honors Top Science Students
DES MOINES – Today, Governor Chet Culver announced that Dana McKeever of Defiance and Benjamin Murphy of Dyersville have been selected to represent Iowa at the 45th session of the National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia.
“I am proud to congratulate Dana McKeever and Benjamin Murphy for receiving this honor,” said Governor Culver. “They demonstrate our state’s commitment to giving our students a solid foundation in math and science. As Governor, I will expand these opportunities, so that all children in Iowa have the same opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
The students will attend the 45th session of the National Youth Science Camp held near the national Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Sarah Wipperman (Dallas Center), Katelyn Metzger (Marshalltown), Vera Prisacari (Davenport), and Valerie Uthoff (Marengo) have been listed as alternates. Iowa’s delegates are selected through a competitive application process administered by the Iowa Academy of Science in partnership with the Governor’s Office.
Dana McKeever is a senior from Defiance. She is a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership alum, and in the past has researched the effects of lung cancer through the Belin-Blank Institute’s Environmental Health Science Summer Program Scholarship.
Benjamin Murphy of Dyersville is the top ranked student in his high school graduating class. He is an Eagle Scout and has participated in the Dubuque Area Youth Leadership Council.
Established in 1963, the National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is a residential science education program that gives two students from each state an opportunity to work side-by-side with America’s top scientists. Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members.
The Iowa Academy of Science, which selects Iowa’s delegates to NYSC each year promotes science research, science education, and public understanding of science throughout Iowa through programs like the Iowa Junior Academy of Science. Learn more about Academy programs at www.iacad.org.