Editorial

Teenage Einsteins Take Center Stage

Anthony l KovAtCh, md

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” —Albert Einstein

I must admit that I was well over my head. Having been invited by the Allegheny County Medical Society to be a judge at the annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair powered by the Carnegie Science Center, I was overwhelmed by the depth of scientific inquiry, the mastery of experimental design, and the brilliance of presentation displayed by the participating high school students of the Tri-State area. March 23, 2022 will be the day I learned that this new generation of scientists are poised to brighten the future for our planet.

Fortunately, I was assigned to the Division of Medicine, Health and Microbiology, where I had at least a superficial level of expertise; the other two divisions---Engineering and Robotics and Physics and Astronomy ----required judges of a college professor background. We ACMS physicians evaluated and compared the merits of approximately 50 poster sessions; for myself the experience was a flashback to my earlier days in academic medicine where we “ran the gauntlet,” evaluating with a fine tooth comb research on the cutting edge

“ of our subspecialty. With a clipboard in hand and an unbiased mind, we scrutinized the clarity of the scientific method and the impact of the results and conclusions of the studies so elaborately presented. The students were professorial in discussing the motivations behind their projects. Many focused on topics that were germane to the current generation of teenagers or to millennials in general: treatment of acne vulgaris, the effects of playing X-box on quality of sleep, the addictive potential of energy drinks, the effects of athleticism on lung capacity, the relative dangers of the various artificial flavorings added to vaping products. The titles of the exhibits were creative and the layouts of the posters were monumental.

These exhibits escaped nobody’s attention!

It became evident to me that some of the researchers had an ax to grind and were pursuing areas that were close to their hearts to benefit a loved one or to improve a personal area of disability. Prevention of infection was a recurring topic vis a vis the current COVID-19 pandemic, especially the efficacy of facemasks. Prevention of the progression of adolescent acne and dental caries were a recurring theme and were approached from the perspective of the specialists who treat these conditions on the front lines. One solo researcher who had a sibling with a gastrostomy tube compared how different food groups affect the breakdown of the silicone lining of the tube bulb over time.

The diversity of the topics was matched by the diversity of the presenters, who represented just about every high school in the Tri-State area. I felt that the second floor of the Science Center was bursting with pride, not to mention intellectual fervor.

The future of the world’s scientific inquiry was on display

Some of the students were advancing the progress of complex projects of college mentors and had access to higher level technology. The graphs and statistical applications imitated those employed in the most prestigious medical journals. Moreover, when interrogated about the materials and methods employed in their projects, the junior investigators appeared to be their own fiercest critics. All the poster sessions included a panel of references and the very best even included an itemized list of acknowledgements (which I felt compelled to praise): “We all stand on the shoulders of giants.” There were no arguments to the contrary; humility continues to be a virtue of the gifted.

However, it is my conviction that to a man, the students demonstrated a professionalism and scientific acumen well beyond their years. Although only a handful were awarded scholarships, all were winners in the minds of the judges and other observers.

Teamwork rules!

When my brain stopped spinning, I remembered the sarcastic song from the movie “Bye, Bye Birdie” and the lines: Why can’t they be like we were--perfect in every way? What’s the matter with kids today?!”

I think this generation will change our world for the better---in every way!

“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever… The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to the place where he arose…”

—Ecclesiastes 1:5 (King James version)