George Rebane
Thought I’d inject a little braggadocio for some of our county’s STEM elite young people. This morning we celebrated the winners of the TechTest2015 at the annual TechTest Survivors’ Breakfast held at Tofanelli’s in Grass Valley. TT2015 was the ninth presentation of this grueling four-hour merit scholarship exam (which you can inspect or try your hand at here) given on 11 April 2015. The test sponsored by the Sierra Economics and Science Foundation with its scholarship fund counting among its contributors Nevada City Rotary Club, Telestream, Riskalyze, Nevada County Republican Women Federated, and various private individuals.
SESF ED Russ Steele opened our little feast attended by test takers and their parents. Director Mike McDaniel was the master of ceremonies, and NUHS physics teacher John McDaniel, who heads the TechTest Academic Committee that administers and grades the test, gave some pithy insights as to how this year’s test takers attacked various problems. As SESF Director of Research, it is my privilege to write the test and conduct the winter preparatory seminars for test takers. The top three scores were earned by Casper Hendrickson, Aaron Van Doren, and Ryan Crenshaw pictured on the right. On the left wearing their Survivors’ t-shirts are the other scholarship winners attending the breakfast (save the chubby old guy on the end). Again it was a lively and festive affair with everyone sharing their plans for further study and careers. Hats go off to the parents for raising this outstanding crop of arrows that we now launch into our country’s future.
And for completeness, TechTestJr2015 will be given tomorrow at NUHS to eighth graders from various county middle schools. This exam intends to motivate the younger students to take STEM subjects in high school. Also sponsored by SESF, it is now in its fourth year. It awards prizes for high scorers consisting of electronics and other technology related kits for assembly and study.
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