Waterloo trip inspires young physicist
Adrienne Duimering at the International Summer School for Young Physicists at Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario.
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North Saanich teen Adrienne Duimering is starting university with a fresh perspective and “powerful ideas.”
The 16-year-old St. Margaret’s school graduate began studies at the University of Victoria after spending part of her summer with the top science minds from across the world. Her sister, who is also in science, wrapping up a degree in physics and biochemistry at UVic, alerted her to the International Summer School for Young Physicists at Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario.
“We stayed at the University of Waterloo residence with lectures at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics,” Duimering said. “During the day we attended lectures on special relativity, general relativity, quantum mechanics, and keynote presentations on string theory, loop quantum gravity, and cosmology … In the evenings we worked together on problem sets related to the day’s material, discussing the intriguing concepts that constantly arose. There was never a dull moment during this program. Between lectures, on the bus, during meals, there were always thought-provoking conversations taking place. There were always blackboards or paper lying around where one could quickly scribble down an idea or math puzzle to share with each other.”
Though a gaggle of gifted young people, the teens also enjoyed the usual activities of youth, including a visit to Niagara Falls, go-karting and staying up all night.
“The friends that I made through this program were truly unique. Being immersed in a group where everyone is interested in the same area makes for some great conversations,” she said.
More than 300 students applied across the nation. The 16-year-old was one of 10 young women chosen for the program, which is geared to 17- and 18-year-olds keen on physics and math. Another 10 young Canadian men, and 20 international students, rounded out the two-week program.
“There were so many highlights of this camp,” Duimering said. “The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) laboratory, was absolutely incredible. We were the youngest group to descend the two kilometres underground to tour the lab … The entire experience, from putting on the mine gear, to making the transformation from extremely dirty mine to extremly clean laboratory, to talking with physicists was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity. We were also all very excited at the opportunity to speak with physicist Lee Smolin, who presented a most intriguing keynote presentation.”
Another highlight of the program was working with physicists in small mentoring groups of six students per mentor, giving the students a feel of what life as a physicist was really like.
Her smart and witty peers and leaders at ISSYP 2009 made the program “one of the best experiences” of her life.
“Our teacher, Dr. Richard Epp, was the most intelligent and inspirational person that I have ever met. The chaperones were patient, friendly, and lots of fun and the other program participants were incredible … At the end of the day I have come away with many powerful ideas.”
The North Saanich teen enjoys all aspects of science and math so her major is still up in the air. For now, she’s on full scholarship at UVic, doing general science undergraduate studies. “I would like to study medicine,” she said.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
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