PRESENTATION WEEK!

“I was awed by the professors.” --Kimberly Vu

“This program opened a whole new world.” --Frank Zavala

“The final week has been bittersweet.” --Julia Spangler

“I will remember the friendships.” --Joelle Goodwin

“I have exercised and stretched my mind.” --Jasper Lai

“Every step of the way required critical thinking.” --Tejas Navaratna
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JULY 19-20 WEEKEND RECAP
Students remaining on campus were occupied with a full array of activities, from working on their projects and catching up on email, to enjoying an afternoon at the Beach on Saturday. Team sand sports were a hit, especially beach volleyball, as was the opportunity to cool off in the waves at Corona del Mar. Later, students hand-painted photo frames in the “frame yourself” craft workshop. Salsa dance lessons and karaoke also engaged the students. Try-outs for the big talent show gave a glimmer of the entertainment to come, and students enjoyed swimming and tennis at the ARC.
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GUEST PRESENTATION
Dr. William Cooper, UCI Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Urban Water Research Center, presented a Call to Action on climate change and water scarcity. Dr. Cooper discussed water supplies, treatment and reuse, and the many issues surrounding availability and use (including greed and self interest). He also illustrated the effects of climate change on coastal communities, including coral reefs, and said that a one meter rise in sea level would cause 20-30 island nations to disappear. Of key interest was the “water energy nexus” in California, and international environmental laws. Dr. Cooper helped organize the 2008 International Water Conference, a collaboration between UCI, UNESCO and the US Geological Survey.

SPECIAL LECTURE ON PHYTOCHEMISTRY IN THE AMAZON
Dr. Eloy Rodriguez, the Endowed James Perkins Professor of Environmental Studies at Cornell University, New York, presented his research in the organic chemistry of natural drugs from plants, insects, and fungi in the Amazon and African rain forests. Dr. Rodriguez has a long tradition of engaging undergraduates in research and taking them to conduct research deep in the Amazon. Collaborating with primatologist R. Wrangham, Dr. Rodriguez introduced the concept of zoopharmacognosy, which is the study of how animals medicate themselves.  He was instrumental in creating this new discipline. Dr. Rodriguez is the director of the Cornell University Esbaran Amazon Field Laboratory, near Iquitos, Peru. He urged students to pursue scientific research in areas that will help mankind. He also stressed the importance of scientific communication, "If you are going to be a scientist, you must learn to articulate science." He provided many insights into what a research career is about, and said, "Sometimes the question is more important than the answer."
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Tejas Navaratna (Cluster 2) took second place for “Environmental Action Through Democracy.” Tejas’s logical and ethical concerns, together with his compelling thesis, resulted in a persuasive and effective argument for emission-free nuclear fission power. Valerie Hwa won Third Place for “Teachers Can Be Superheroes Too,” which showed original and creative thinking in relation to the classroom environment. Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth places were awarded to Julia Spangler (Cluster 4) “A Global Change of Mindset;” Ian Mallett (Cluster 1) “Reengineering Earth;” and Ekta Patel (Cluster 7) Save Our World (SOW): Producing a Better Future,” respectively.Mathematical Puzzles & Games
Group 1, Tamar, Brian, Juan: Rolit; Group 2, Andre, Hol-lam, Michelle: Battleship; Group 3, Samuel, Susana, Dylan: Tick-Tock-Tac-Toe; Group 4, Lawrance, Mihir, Ryan: Connect Four - Deeper Than You Think; Group 5, Matthew, Alex, Steven, Briana: A Search for Optimal Strategy in Backgammon; Group 6, David, Yeleina, Eric: Mancala: The Breakdown of Structure and Strategy; Group 7, Adiseshu, Kacy, Aaron: Monopoly, the Game of Economical Domination.
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MORE EXAMPLES OF STUDENT PROJECTS
World of Molecules: Chemistry at the NanoScale
Group 1, Michael, Darren, John: The Mysteries of Nanotubes; Group 2, Kathleen, Yutong, Jiwoo: Light-matter Interaction in the Sky; Group 3, Megan and Diana: Cold Atoms; Group 4, Tatyana and Jennifer: The Photophysics of Quantum Dots; Group 5, Ringo and Elizabeth: The Chemistry of the Stars; Group 6, Eugene P. and Eugene S.: Seeing Big Molecules with X-Rays; Group 7, Adarsh, Justin, Steven: Optimizing Ink; Group 8, Yutong and Seo-Im: Protein Morphology as Seen with Cryo-Electron Microscopy.

Mathematical Puzzles & Games
Group 1, Tamar, Brian, Juan: Rolit; Group 2, Andre, Hol-lam, Michelle: Battleship; Group 3, Samuel, Susana, Dylan: Tick-Tock-Tac-Toe; Group 4, Lawrance, Mihir, Ryan: Connect Four - Deeper Than You Think; Group 5, Matthew, Alex, Steven, Briana: A Search for Optimal Strategy in Backgammon; Group 6, David, Yeleina, Eric: Mancala: The Breakdown of Structure and Strategy; Group 7, Adiseshu, Kacy, Aaron: Monopoly, the Game of Economical Domination.
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Twenty-one students auditioned for the opportunity to share their experience at our closing ceremony. Seo-Im “Sally” Hong and Agustin Floriano were selected as our student speakers. Congratulations, students.

The astonishing talent show, with dance, vocals, skits, solo artists and ensembles on Wednesday evening shined the spotlight on our talented students. Their multidimensional interests and abilities were appreciated by all. Thursday night the COSMOS Olympics provided spirited outdoor sports and games that further demonstrated the students’ team-building skills. Events included Extreme Hula Hoop, Soccer Penalty Kicks, Up and Over Water Bucket Race, Team 4x400 Relay and others.
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