Nasya Choy, a rising junior at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, has been selected to participate in the World Science Scholars 2022 cohort.
World Science Scholars is a program that invites a small group of international high school students with extraordinary mathematical talent to apply their abilities to unexplored disciplines through a yearlong program sponsored by the World Science Festival. Guided by world-renowned experts, Scholars examine the ways that advanced mathematics skills can be applied to solve complex challenges in a wide range of multidisciplinary fields, according to the program’s website.
The free, one-year program allows Scholars to expand their perspectives and deepen their knowledge by grappling with mathematical ideas in new and unfamiliar contexts. Participants will take five college-level courses throughout the year with topics ranging from particle physics, computational thinking, neuroscience, climate change, astrobiology and string theory. The self-paced courses included interactive demonstrations, exercises, discussions and video lectures. Scholars collaborate on projects, attend virtual lab tours, connect with Teaching Fellows and engage with professors in live sessions.
Choy was nominated for the program by ASMSA math instructor Caleb Grisham. Choy said she didn’t know much about the program beforehand but decided to apply for it because she wanted to learn more about math and science. Math has been one of her favorite subjects since early childhood and is always interested in finding different ways to learn about math and science, she said.
“Math has been one of my favorites subjects because my sisters taught me basic math while playing school as kids, so I associate math with fun,” Choy said. “My favorite courses so far have been Precalculus and Calculus. I normally watch Veritasium (a YouTube channel about science) outside of the classroom to learn more about science and math. I try to be involved in the math competitions that the Math Club takes part in.”
Choy applied for the program in late April. The application included several short answer questions about her interests in math and science, her academic aspirations, and what she does outside of school to learn more about math and science. It also included a teacher recommendation form and a parent/guardian recommendation form.
It wasn’t until mid-June that she found out she had been accepted into the program.
“I was in a residential summer camp when I received the acceptance email, so I had to text a screenshot of the email to my parents,” Choy said. “I didn’t think I was going to be accepted since the program takes people from all over the world. I applied because there’s no harm in trying, but I was, and still am, excited to learn more science and math through this opportunity.”
Scholars also will have the opportunity to attend the World Science Festival in New York City in April 2023. The festival features live programs in the streets, parks, museums, galleries and premier performing arts venues of New York City. The festival also produces live and digital content available throughout the year.
“I love learning in general, so I think it would be amazing to attend the event and learn about the speakers’ experiences and discoveries in person,” Choy said.