FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Contact: Brian Cook, (202) 225-3202
Contact: Martha Heil, American Institute of Physics, (626) 354-5613

WASHINGTON, DC- Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) met today with one of the top 24 physics students in the country. Marianna Mao of Fremont met with Rep. Stark as one of the activities of the U.S. Physics Team's training camp. For ten days the students study advanced physics principles, take exams and hear lectures from prominent physicists at the University of Maryland in College Park. Five students from the U.S. team will be chosen to represent the United States at an international physics competition.

The time at camp is not only spent on physics: the students also visited the nation's capital to meet with their senators and representatives. This helps them learn to communicate important science to legislators and others who don’t usually hear about science. The in-person meeting helps remind members of Congress of the importance of science and math education in the United States.

“I am proud that one of the nation’s top students in physics hails from Fremont, and it was a joy and privilege to meet with her today,” said Rep. Stark. “We know that science education is essential to our country’s continued competitiveness in a global economy, and as such it’s important that we recognize the intellect and talent displayed by individuals like Marianna.”

Mao gave Rep. Stark a puzzle key ring that is solved with the physics concept of centrifugal force. Tiny beads hold a hidden quarter in place, but spinning the key ring quickly causes centrifugal force to press the beads out of the way. The key ring carried a flyer that said "Science Education Pays Off."

The U.S. Physics Olympiad Program was started in 1986 by the American Association of Physics Teachers to promote and demonstrate academic excellence. The training camp is sponsored by the AAPT and the American Institute of Physics, College Park, MD.