Anthony Bass, Class of 2010A Seminole Ridge student is once again the winner of NASA‘s annual "Cassini Scientist for a Day" essay contest. And—once again—it‘s the same student! NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory delivered the out-of-this-world congratulations to Hawk senior Anthony Bass, the first-ever essayist to win their contest twice.
"Cassini Scientist for a Day" challenges students to 'become NASA scientists' studying the planet Saturn through the robotic spacecraft Cassini. Participants examine three target images taken by Cassini and choose the one they think will yield the best science, supporting their choice in a 500-word essay.
Nearly 400 students nationwide entered the contest, but NASA researchers were impressed most—for the second year in a row—with Bass‘ entry. Here‘s an excerpt: "If we could analyze the composition of the impurities and isotopes of Saturn‘s rings, they could provide us with clues as to where they came from. When we look for clues in the composition of the main rings and compare this data to the composition of Saturn‘s other moons, is it really possible that these rings started as a moon?" This view of Saturn, its rings and the moon Tethys represents "Target 1" in the fall 2009 edition of the Cassini Scientist for a Day contest online at http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/photos/imagedetails/index.cfm?imageId=3704
Target 1Mr. Landstrom uses the NASA contest as teaching opportunity for his students to practice their FCAT Writes persuasive essay skills, and encourage excellence in FCAT Science. Seminole Ridge students learned about possible images that the cameras on Cassini could take on October 11, 2009. Students needed to weigh all the factors and choose one of the targets. What do we already know about Saturn, its rings, and its moons? What do we hope to learn from the image selected? The decision is based on which image would yield the most scientific results, but the artistic value of the image can be an added bonus. The cameras on NASA Cassini-Huygens Mission have been taking stunning images of Saturn for the past five years. These images have helped planetary scientists learn more about this amazing planet.
The award certificate is to be mailed to the school. “A copy of the certificate and his essay hang in my classroom” said Mr. Landstrom, Seminole Ridge High School science teacher. Anthony is applying for admission to the Air Force Academy so that he may pursue a career in the field of aerospace/aeronautical engineering.
Great job, Anthony! Winning a national essay contest for an interplanetary mission is impressive. Winning that contest twice in a row is simply amazing!
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UPDATE: Anthony receiving plaque during the March 10, 2010 school board meeting of the School District of Palm Beach County
In the picture, to Anthony's right is his principal Dr. Lynne McGee and board member Dr. Monroe Benaim, and to his left his physics teacher Erich Landstrom and board member Dr. Debra Robinson. The School District of Palm Beach County is the eleventh largest public school district in the United States, and the fifth largest school district in Florida.
