Former Kalispell Middle School student finalist in national science competition

by Hilary Matheson Daily Inter Lake
| September 10, 2018 2:00 AM

Kalispell student Alexandra Houseworth’s science project “The Renewable Rotating Charger,” has earned her a chance to win a trip to Washington D.C. to present on the national stage.

Houseworth is one of 300 semifinalists selected in the Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) middle-school competition. Three other Montana students were also chosen including — John Duerk and Daisy Kulina, both of Sussex School in Missoula and Peyton Haddock of Hamilton Middle School in Hamilton. All were eighth-graders when entered into competition. Houseworth is currently a freshman at Glacier High School.

Houseworth’s project has already earned awards at the county and state level. She achieved second place in the eighth-grade physical category at the 2018 Montana State Science Fair in addition to a gold ribbon in the middle school division.

At the 2018 Flathead County Science Fair, Houseworth received grand in the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade engineering category and received the Flathead Electric Cooperative Energy-related Project Award.

The top 300 middle school science and engineering projects were selected from 2,537 entrants in grades six, seven and eight from around the U.S. Nominees qualified to enter the competition by placing among the top 10 percent among participants at science fairs affiliated with the Society for Science and the Public, a nonprofit that founded the Broadcom MASTERS competition.

Projects were judged on creativity and originality by a panel of scientists, engineers and educators who evaluated competitors’ ability to engage in data analysis and science, technology, engineering and math principles.

“The Renewable Rotating Charger,” will be up against projects that tackle real-world challenges from developing a more efficient battery to testing the effect of melatonin on breast cancer growth.

On Sept. 18, 30 finalists will be selected to attend the Broadcom MASTERS Finals Week held Oct. 19-24 in Washington D.C. where they will present their projects and compete in science, technology, engineering and math contests for a chance to win monetary prizes.

For more information visit broadcomfoundation.org.