Local student recognized among top science and math students in the country

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- For the second time in just a few months, Oliver Quintero, a senior at The John Cooper School, has been recognized as being among the top science and math students in the country. On January 25, Quintero was named among 40 high school students nationwide as a Finalist in the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search (STS), a program of Society for Science & The Public.


The Intel Science Talent Search brings together the best and brightest young scientific minds in the United States to compete for $1.23 million in awards. On January 11, Quintero was named a Semifinalist in the competition and received a $1,000 award from the Intel Foundation. An additional $1,000 was awarded to The John Cooper Upper School (grades 9-12) to be designated to further support excellence in science, math and/or engineering education.


As a Finalist, Quintero is one of three students from Texas and 40 from 16 states who will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. from March 8-13 to compete for more than $630,000 in awards provided by the Intel Foundation. Winners will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions and announced at a black-tie gala award ceremony at the National Building Museum on March 13. The top award is $100,000; the remaining top 10 will receive awards totaling $350,000.


Quintero’s project, titled “On the Synthesis of a New Wide Electrochemical Window Ionic Liquid for Advanced Electrochemical Endeavors” researched the synthesizing of a new ionic liquid. “Ionic liquids can be used as an electrolyte in batteries,” he explained. “Ionic-liquid batteries are longer-lasting, more efficient and bio-friendly. They can also be used for metal-surface finishing.”


Additionally, Cooper’s Middle School Science Department Chair, Ekbal Touma, was recognized by the competition as a Teacher of Merit 2012. Touma serves on the Education for Tomorrow Alliance Steering Committee for the SCI://Tech Exposition and has worked with Quintero on science fair projects since Middle School. “Since seventh grade, Ms. Touma has always enthusiastically supported all of my science projects, providing much needed advice and encouragement,” Quintero said. “She has influenced me with her scientific prowess and kind heart.”


“It is wonderful to see Oliver recognized for his extraordinary efforts as a student at school and for his independent work and projects outside of Cooper,” said Head of Upper School Joe Broccoli. “Oliver is very well rounded and is an exceptional scholar and athlete who contributes in many different ways to our Cooper community. We are pleased with his efforts thus far and know that he will continue to work tirelessly in future research to benefit our community at large.”


The Intel Science Talent Search is among the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competitions. Alumni of STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world’s most distinguished science and math honors, including seven Nobel Prizes and four National Medals of Science.

“Math and science are the foundations of innovation, which propels society forward through the development of new ideas, products, companies and jobs,” said Wendy Hawkins, Executive Director of the Intel Foundation. “The Intel STS encourages high school students to embrace and explore their interests in these subjects, and pursue paths that may lead to solving the world’s most pressing issues.”


Upon graduation in May, Quintero will be designated as a Cooper Pioneer, meaning he has attended the PK-12 independent school consecutively since Kindergarten. Quintero is Team Captain of Cooper’s boys’ varsity soccer team and is a member of the executive board of the Interact Club, a service organization sponsored by The Woodlands Rotary Club.