Duke University’s Summer Session, in collaboration with the Institute of Competition Sciences announced the winners in its inaugural Summer Research Competition, a research and critical-thinking competition for high school students who participate in Duke University’s Summer Academies or Accelerated STEM Academy. The Summer Research Competition challenges students to analyze how our reliance on internet connected technologies could pose problems for our future. Students must identify and research a challenge and then propose specific recommendations on how to help manage or alleviate the potential problems.

To compete, students submitted a written research report in which they identified and characterized a solution to a modern problem that is being brought on by our use of internet connected technologies. Problems identified by students in this inaugural year of the challenge included everything from challenges with sleep due to excessive screen time, to learning gaps between students that have access and don’t have access to top internet technology. With 57 entrants to the inaugural competition, the level of student understanding, analysis, and problem solving was impressive.

Clinching first place was Tsz Laam “Carly” Kiang, from the Shanghai American School, for her paper on, “The Digital Dilemma: Integrating Technology in Classrooms to Aid Early Childhood Development.”

Coming in at second place was Spencer He, from Valley Christian High School for his paper titled, “The Health Threats of Upcoming 5G Networks: Making EMF Protection Available to Everyone.”

Rounding out the award winners were three runners up including: Konur Nordberg from WestportCPS for his paper, “The Effect of Internet-Connected Technologies on Human Skill Set and Brain Health,”  Rayan Malik from Dubai for his paper, “How Social Media is Ruining the Mental Stability of Teenagers,” and John Xu from Bellarmine College Preparatory for his paper, “Industrial Robot Cybersecurity.”

Congratulations to all of the winners of the first Duke Summer Research Competition!

About the Duke University Summer Session

Duke Summer Session provides a stimulating and thought-provoking learning experience that helps students understand what it means to be a global citizen.  Rather than sitting at a desk and simply listening to a lecture while taking notes, students engage in a variety of interactive assignments designed to build critical skills essential to preparing for the world beyond high school.  Students participate in role playing, discussions, interviews, presentations, debates, and other dynamic educational activities while learning alongside peers from around the world.  In addition to the three-week Summer Academies, the Summer Session also offers one-week, Accelerated STE Academies in which students spend their summer alongside the next generation of innovators and engage with some of the world’s top researchers.  During these one-week programs, students get to explore Duke’s state-of-the-art laboratories, learn about trailblazing research, and experience the life of an élite researcher.

Summer academies include topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, business management, cyber-security, mathematics, and more. Applications for the 2020, Summer Session opens soon. To prepare for and participate in the 2020 Duke Summer Research Competition, apply to one of the Summer Session Academies or Accelerated STEM program by visiting: https://summersession.duke.edu/