Ravi Randhava
The DuPont Challenge 2001
First Place, Junior Division
Evanston Township High School
Evanston, IL
Essay Title: The Mystery of Human Memory
Teacher: Beth Christiansen
What are you doing now?
August marks two years as a Community Service Specialist (an AmeriCorps VISTA position) at Northwestern University. We work with almost 30 student groups that focus on direct service and philanthropy in Evanston and Chicago.
Where did you go to college, and what was your experience like?
I graduated in 2008 from Northwestern University with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Spanish. Some of my most rewarding experiences include serving as Co-Chair of our Special Olympics chapter, co-teaching a service-learning seminar on bilingual education, and studying abroad in Mexico City and Istanbul. Honors from my time at NU include the Highest Order of Excellence Society for on- and off-campus involvement, and the Ivor Wilks Prize in African History for an essay on the refugee crisis and humanitarian intervention in Zaire/Congo.
Did you continue to pursue any of the science interests you had when you took The DuPont Challenge?
Even though my majors were International Studies and Spanish, I was fortunate to be able to seek out classes at Northwestern in a wide variety of departments, including Chemistry, Math, and Civil Engineering. I especially enjoyed being able to study human memory and the mind through a number of different disciplines. For example, Psychology classes offer one way of looking at the mind, while analyzing the intersections of the real and the fantastic in Jorge Luis Borges’s work in a Spanish class provide another perspective. African-American Studies also offers the opportunity to examine issues of representation, social constructs, and collective memory.
What were some of your favorite memories from the competition or awards trip?
Two memories particularly stand out: the surprise announcement at school and meeting Rex Walheim and the other astronauts over lunch at NASA.
Do you think taking The DuPont Challenge was a meaningful experience?
Absolutely. It reinforced my interest in the sciences, particularly the study of human memory, but there is also a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with both completing your essay and then being selected as an award recipient that you always remember. I felt encouraged to take on new challenges.
Why would you say science education is important? What role has it played in your life?
Science education is critical, not only for those who plan to pursue careers in medicine or physics, for example, but for everyone to have a basic understanding of how the world works and to build on critical thinking and analytical skills.
Do you have any advice for future entrants?
Write about something you’re passionate about, and be explicit about telling your readers why the topic you have chosen is important. Most importantly, enjoy the process and take pride in the fact that you have written a great essay that can lead to future research!