Posted on: Thursday, January 23, 2003

Maui teen semifinalist for Intel science honor

Advertiser Staff

KAHULUI, Maui — Maui High School student Matthew Jachowski, 17, of Pukalani, is among 300 U.S. high school seniors selected as a semifinalist for this year's Intel Science Talent Search.

Jachowski — a former state spelling bee champion — is the only student from Hawai'i picked for the honor.

Each of the 300 semifinalists — chosen from 1,581 applicants — will receive $1,000 in recognition of their scientific achievements, and their schools will receive $1,000 per semifinalist.

Students were judged on individual research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. The research projects cover all disciplines of science, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, social science and biology. Jachowski's project on asteroids was titled "On Initial Orbit Determination Accuracy."

Entering his senior year, Jachowski has been awarded about $12,000 in college scholarships from various science competitions. He is the son of Doug and Maile Jachowski and is a member of Maui High's track and cross country teams.

Forty Intel Science Talent Search finalists will be announced Wednesday. The finalists will go to Washington, D.C., to attend the Science Talent Institute where they will participate in final judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more than $500,000.