Hey bloggers! Meet Shannon McClintock, the 2004 winner of the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. After winning acclaim for her "Little Engine That Could" experiment, enhancing traction through friction, McClintock is gaining steam and esteem in the world of science. Learn how her life has changed in the past two years, hear her future plans and discover what advice she has for aspiring female scientists.
You were named Discovery's top young scientist in 2004. How has your life changed since then?
After being named Discovery's top young scientist in 2004, I gained so many fantastic experiences and opportunities. Taking part in Discovery's Young Scientist Challenge really helped me to appreciate the importance of science communication, and I learned that even a young girl could make a difference by sharing her adventures in science. Since the recognition, I have been asked to speak in front of kids and adults, and have been able to encourage students today to explore their interests in science, and to stand up for girls in science. I had the chance to meet a young boy from South Africa with whom I am trying to set up a pen pal program between the United States and his village to encourage education and science. I will also never forget meeting and working with the Mythbusters, the dynamic duo that helped me to learn that making mistakes was an important part of learning and honing experiments in science. With my experiences I have gained confidence, made life-long friends, and found a true passion for sharing my love of science.
Tell us what first sparked your interest in science and at what age?
There was no day when I was five that I woke up, and contemplated an apple, or questioned the construction of a table and declared an interest in science. As far back as I can remember, I loved building with Legos and learning with science programs. At the age of three, I defied convention and built a sloping ramp using rectangular blocks. In school, I loved reading about Galileo, and the mysteries and principles of Black Holes. Science has grown to be a part of my life, and although I may not have learned Newton's laws of motion until I was ten, I always appreciated exploring the mechanics of the world, and using my own experiments to build or dissect.
Is there a field of science that interests you most?
Physics and engineering are my favorite scientific fields. I absolutely love building and have to take everything I find apart to see how it works before (hopefully) putting it back together.
Do you have a piece of advice for girls who may be interested in science?
You go girls! Keep exploring and developing your own ideas. The world is just waiting for female scientists to step up and challenge the stereotypes and intellectual barriers that define science as a "boy's world." There are opportunities available for girls of all ages to nurture their love of science. Learn more about the field you love, and stay curious and excited about the unknown. Remember that in science, mistakes lead you down the road to success, and there is no failure if you persevere and always learn from what you have observed. You could be the first person on mars or develop the breakthrough that can cure cancer.
What are your future plans? College I assume!
Future Plans? College of course. I havenât quite gotten all of my ambitions boiled down to a major just yet, but I know I want to continue to pursue science, writing, and communication. I hope to one day write a novel and compose a musical, and I am still determined to discover a fractal in nature. I know that wherever I go, I will continue to share my love of science and my experiences with others.
Bernard Palin
Associate Producer
