Science Heroes Home Page > Kathryn King

Kathryn King

OMSI: Where were you born? Where did you grow up?

KK: I was born in Salem, Oregon and I have grown up in Keizer, Oregon.

OMSI: What three words best describe you?

KK: Motivated, caring, energetic.

OMSI: As a child, did you have any hobbies, interests, or experiences that helped prepare you for success in science?

KK: The engineering part of my research was inspired by all the years that I spent with my dad in the garage building and designing different items.

My interest in science research extends back to my first science fair in the third grade when I did an experiment with magnets and direction.

OMSI: Please tell us about a mentor or teacher who helped to inspire your interest in science.

KK: My ninth grade physical science teacher Mr. Gary Miller was the very first person to fully engage me in science. Before high school, I performed well in science classes, but I received little enjoyment from it. Now, I am inspired and intrigued by the sciences.

OMSI: What's the worst trouble you ever got into in school? Have you ever blown anything up?

KK: In the preliminary designing process of my testing box I was checking to see if my heater worked and I melted the box. Luckily, I was able to shut everything down before the fire alarm was activated.

OMSI: What is your favorite class this year?

KK: My favorite class is my independent science research class. There are two students enrolled in the class and together we accomplish a lot.

OMSI: Describe a difficult situation that you were in and how you handled it.

KK: An example of a difficult situation in my life would be when I was younger and in a wheelchair; for a few months, doctors did not know whether I would walk again and there was a lot of uncertainty as to what treatment I should under go. Emotionally I learned to keep a balance of optomism and reality. Throughout the entire time of doubt, I pressed on with physical therapy, determined one day to walk again.

OMSI: What is your dream? What do you most hope to accomplish in your career?

KK: I want to become a surgeon. As a surgeon I want to be a missionary in a foreign country.

OMSI: How do you feel about the current state of science education in the U.S.?

KK: I am privileged that I attend a high school where the science education is ideal. Opportunities in science were opened to me within weeks after stepping foot into McNary.

However, many students have not had the same exposure as I. I find it crucial that more in depth science programs such as Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering be created and promoted more extensively with students.

OMSI: What do you like to do in your free time?

KK: In my free time, I enjoy attending church and participating in youth group activities.

OMSI: What do you consider your very best skill?

KK: I think my very best skill is my ability to effectively communicate with people of all ages, interests and educational background.

OMSI: Please tell us about your science fair project. How did you come up with the idea for your project? How did you go about researching and building your project? What was it like to participate in the science fair, and what do you remember most from the fair?

KK: I thought of my project when I was an intern at the Oregon Department of Energy where I was in charge of researching windows in manufactured housing.

My fair project was entitled the Construction and Energy-Efficiency of Windows. To accomplish my project, I began by traveling to window plants, window component plants, and window installers all over the northwest seeking information about the industry. To find out what customers thought about the windows in their homes, I created and mailed survey to homeowners. From this initial information, I narrowed down which materials were most commonly used for each window component (glass, window frame, gas-fill, and spacer). To test the glass and window frame products I engineered a box that could compare the rate of heat transfer of each material. For the spacer materials I developed a specific heat lab and built a calorimeter. For the gas-fill options, I did a molecular weight/cost comparison. Finally, from the results, I developed a complete window design of the most energy-efficient window.

Participating in the science fair was an excellent way to meet other youth who had similar ambitions in life. Teachers and judges asked questions and provided information that helped me think more deeply about my project and the role science may play in future education and career endeavors. It was inspirational to be with others students who were excited about science and the opportunity to enhance the world by his/her own project.

OMSI: If you were to build your science fair project again, would you do anything differently?

KK: If I were to do my project differently, I would probably consult more professionals about my design before I started cutting materials. I have learned that it is important to consult others of more experience and therby avoid mistakes.

OMSI: Please tell us about your educational plans and goals.

KK: I want to continue on to a four-year university and either major in bioengineering or pre-medicine. Either way, I intend to attend a medical school and become a surgeon. After medical school I want to be a missionary in a foreign country for a few years before I return to the states to marry and raise a family.

OMSI: Have you had any on the job training or science related work experience?

KK: During the summer of 2003, I worked as an Intern under the direction of an Energy Analyst for the Oregon Department of Energy. In that position, I traveled to manufacturing plants, conducted phone interviews, hosted meetings, and wrote several reports. I was successful in developing information that began the process to improve the energy code for windows in manufactured housing.