Ray Qian, a senior at Carmel High School and Marissa Stephens, a senior at North Central High School, today were named the Indiana state winners of the 2011 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation administered by the College Board. The awards recognize America’s top achievers in Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) science and mathematics courses with a $2,000 college scholarship to one male and one female student in each state. Two national winners are also recognized, each receiving a $5,000 scholarship. This year, 101 high school students in 50 states – including 96 seniors, 4 juniors and 1 sophomore – were recognized.
“These students lead the nation in performance on Advanced Placement math and science courses and we are proud to recognize them for their academic excellence,” said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, President of the Siemens Foundation.
“Over the last 13 years, AP exams have become the gold standard of academic rigor in schools across the world,” said College Board president Gaston Caperton. “Today the College Board and our partners at the Siemens Foundation recognize 101 students who have risen to meet this standard and exceed it. I am incredibly proud of the hard work put in by each and every one of them, and I look forward to watching them grow up to change the world.”
RAY QIAN
- Total AP Courses Taken to Date: 15
- Favorite AP Class: Biology
- Notable Accomplishments: 2011 USA Biology Olympiad Semifinalist
- Plans for College Study: Pre-medicine, Business
- Career Aspirations: Medical doctor or businessman
- Hobbies: Break dancing
- What sparked his interest in science & math? Influential parents at a young age
MARISSA STEPHENS
- Total AP Courses Taken to Date: 16
- Favorite AP Class: Physics
- Notable Accomplishments: American Invitational Mathematics Equation qualifier 2007-2011
- Plans for College Study: Math, Computer Science
- Career Aspirations: Undecided
- Hobbies: Running and rock climbing
- What sparked her interest in science & math? An engaging teacher and water balloon fights
Encouraging students to pursue academic careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a national priority. Students who take AP math and science courses major in STEM fields at significantly higher rates than other students, according to the study, “AP Students in College: An Analysis of Five-Year Academic Careers,” released by the College Board in 2007. Student participation in AP science and mathematics courses grew 7.2 percent to 733,631 students from 2010 to 2011.
For a complete list of winners and to view multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54202-siemens-foundation-math-science-advanced-placement-awards.
