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THINK stands for Technology for Humanity guided by Innovation, Networking, and Knowledge. The vision of THINK is to make science and technology research and development accessible to all motivated high school students.
In previous years, THINK has recognized the work of talented high school students that have demonstrated exceptional innovation, networking, and knowledge while working on projects or ideas that benefit their community. Finalists have been awarded with a scholarship made possible by corporate sponsors and an all-expenses paid trip to MIT to experience Techfair, an annual student-run technology exhibition that showcases the cutting edge of the high-tech industry. They have been able to see research being done at MIT labs and network with prominent professors, industry scientists, and engineers. The finalists have expressed great appreciation for the opportunities given to them, and the THINK organizing team has taken pride in making these opportunities possible.
The THINK competition has grown each year, receiving more and more high quality applicants. However, after examining the efforts of other organizations and competitions with similar motivations, the THINK team has realized that the competition shares a space with many other similar science and engineering research competitions. In order to increase impact of our efforts on students, the team has decided to rethink the 2012 competition.
Our philosophy is that although students at the high school level may not have the knowledge or experience of a college-educated professional, many of them certainly have the creativity and passion to make significant contributions to science and technology. We hope to share with those students the resources and connections that we have at MIT and in industry.
How will we accomplish this goal? Using the existing THINK competition as a framework, we will develop an application process for admission into our new program. Rather than simply recognizing high school students with completed projects or ideas, we would like to support and encourage students who wish to implement their project ideas. Accepted students will receive seed funding, mentorship from the THINK team, and advice from MIT professors and industry professionals.
The human aspect is where THINK differs from typical competitions. In a results-oriented world, the process is often understated, even though it is typically the most challenging and arduous part of a project. This is where the guidance and support of others can be immensely beneficial to an aspiring scientist or engineer. While nothing can replace parents and teachers, we hope to provide students with an external support network that will guide them in their endeavors.
We hope THINK will be an inspirational experience that helps to nurture the next generation of young innovators and shows them that any project idea can be realized with innovation, networking, and knowledge.
The first annual THINK competition was launched in 2008 as a pilot project under Techfair. Upon its first year's kick-off, THINK welcomed the submission of various projects and proposals that met our mission. The applications came from across the United States, covering a wide spectrum of disciplines. A prestigious panel of judges reviewed the submitted materials in two rounds. First, semifinalists were selected by current MIT students, including editors of MIT research journals and past finalists of national and international high school competitions. During the second round, MIT professors reviewed the semifinalist applications and chose three finalists.
The THINK competition continued its success in 2009, 2010, and 2011, introducing three new submission categories: Homegrown Projects, Lab Projects, and Idea Proposals. With increased sponsorships and a growing number of submissions nationwide, we awarded more applicants by acknowledging six semifinalists and three finalists. However, after examining the efforts of other organizations and competitions with similar motivations, the THINK team then realized that the competition shares a space with many other similar science and engineering research competitions. In order to increase impact of our efforts on students, we have decided to rethink the 2012 competition.
Luke Andraka is a sophomore at North County High School's STEM magnet program in Glen Burnie, Maryland where he is on the math team, engineering team and plays varsity lacrosse. He grew up kayaking and rafting on the rivers of West Virginia where his family has a rafting company and where he first came in contact with the orange water of acid mine drainage. He has worked with local river conservation groups to study and help mitigate this problem and has studied the use of limestone aggregates and an electrochemical process to raise the affected streams' pH. Along the way he learned about the history of the Cheat River, taken engineering and chemistry courses through the Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, become a stream monitor for West Virginia and presented his findings and received prizes at Intel ISEF, SSP's national science fair, ISWEEEP, and INESPO in Holland.
Zach Porter is a junior at High Technology High School in Lincroft, New Jersey. Within school, Zach is actively engaged in research opportunities and the Model United Nations. In addition, he relishes volunteering with the American Red Cross as the Youth Council President of his regional chapter. Zach gained the inspiration for this proposal while riding as an EMT on his town's first aid squad. In his spare time he enjoys singing in his friends' rock band, skiing, and utilizing Adobe Photoshop. Zach aspires to study mechanical engineering or neuroscience in college. In the immediate future, Zach will continue his research with an electroencephalographic human subject experiment based on this proposal.
Christie Wang is a 16-year-old student at Roslyn High School in Roslyn, New York. She is interested in biology, history and dancing. Her natural tendency to want to help others is shown through her desire to help discover a cure for "incurable" neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Her current study is investigating the effect of cold induced RNA-binding protein on neural inflammation and its connection to Alzheimer's disease. Besides her efforts in biological research, she also volunteers at a local hospital and her church, and fundraises for various charities. She is also very passionate about dancing. She has been studying different disciplines of dance since she was four years old. She attends local dance competitions with her dance studio and was a dancer in the Macy's Great American Marching Band which performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. She hopes that her research can help find a new therapeutic target to fight neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
THINK is a student-run educational initiative for high school students promoting science and technology.
We run a national competition every year to select students with innovative projects that have societal impact. These winners are brought to MIT to experience TechFair and network with industry professionals and MIT professors. This year, we will fund selected students to implement their project ideas.
| Name | Major | Year |
| Somak Das, Director | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 2014 |
| Victor Hung | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 2014 |
| Alexander Mentzelopoulos | Physics | 2014 |
| Minh-Tue Vo Thanh | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 2014 |
| Chen Dong | Mathematics | 2013 |
| Nick Dou | Mechanical Engineering | 2012 |
| (Jet) Sizhi Zhou | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 2011 |
| Di Ye | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Microsoft | 2010 |
| Justin Lai | Mechanical Engineering, Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | 2007 |
| Maria Yang | Mechanical Engineering | Professor |
Influence high school students
THINK team members will get an opportunity to mentor selected students, and make a significant impact on their lives.
Network with companies, professors, and alumni
By requesting financial support and project advice from various sources, members will meet professionals and scholars in many fields.
Implement your ideas
The THINK team is a friendly group of students that are passionate about education. We are always open to new members and ideas!