By Kate E. Salute
McAvoy's project is not only one that the Intel Science Talent Search, or STS, judges thought intelligent, but also one golf courses may want to get in on if the patent for her product is approved.
The project is called "Electrochemical Management of Bryum Argentium and the Subsequent Environmental Implications." In layman's terms, McAvoy, with the help of her father, Thomas McAvoy; West Hempstead's director of science, Toby Daempfle, Elisabeth's mentor throughout the project; and scientist Arthur P. Weber found an environmentally friendly way to eradicate bryum argentium, often referred to as silvery thread moss, which invades golf courses. The moss is usually killed using methods that cause putting green turf to thin. McAvoy's method gets rid of the moss without causing any unnecessary damage to the turf or its surrounding plant life.
Golf hardly ranks at the top of the list of the things McAvoy enjoys, so it might seem odd that her project revolves around the sport - until you are introduced to her father, the superintendent of Old Westbury Golf and Country Club. Elisabeth has spent the summers of her high school years working on this project, visiting, testing and researching the moss at the golf course every summer day for the past three years.
It all started as a simple science project when McAvoy was a high school freshman, her father said. "And it was on a topic which I had access to," he added. "It seemed like a good thing to try." Since then, Elisabeth has expanded on the project every year. "I think she has matured throughout the project, and learned a lot about scientific method, and certainly about the research that is involved," her father said.
Along with Weber, who helped Elisabeth with her research, the McAvoys applied for a patent for the product two years ago, when Elisabeth was still in the early stages of developing the project. "We're trying to secure the idea," her father explained. "The patent is sitting in somebody's patent office awaiting review and approval ... It takes a long time to get a patent, especially if you have nobody lobbying for your side. We are patiently waiting."
Thomas hopes that scientific research like the work that has earned his eldest daughter an honored position among the young science elite will have a place in Elisabeth's future. "She shows a skill - one of her many skills...," he said. "It would certainly be an opportunity for her, because she does show a talent in it." Reflecting on his daughter's accomplishments, he continued, "But she is still very young. I'm a very proud parent. She has a lot of skills that she can use well."
Evidently, judging by Elisabeth's curricular and extracurricular activities. She rattles off a laundry list of things she participates in, surely leaving some stuff out. She takes all honor and A.P. classes, and ranks sixth in a class of about 200 students. She is a member of the music, art and French honors societies. Outside school, she takes ballet, which she has done for as long as she can remember.
She volunteers at the Tanglewood Preserve, where she is currently making learning stations where children can learn about nature. She has been a participant in the Long Island Science Congress every year since seventh grade - this year her 15-year-old sister, Katie, will compete against her in April. She also enjoys music. In fact, just a week before the announcement of her Intel semifinalist status, she played flute in the All County Band.
But somehow, despite the countless hours of work on her science project, the band practices, the ballet classes and the mounds of homework that come with advanced classes, McAvoy, with her wide, dimply smile and bright blue eyes, swears that she makes time for sleeping. "I don't know how, but I sleep a lot, actually," she says with a giggle.
While some of her classmates are still deciding what colleges they will apply to, McAvoy declared that she will attend Barnard University in Manhattan in the fall; she applied and was accepted early decision. As of now, she is undecided aboutwhat she will major in. "I'm finding it hard to choose because everything I do I really like and spend a lot of time with," she says. "Hopefully college will help me with it. But I've always been very passionate about my science projects."
Barnard does not offer scholarships, said McAvoy, who is applying for outside scholarships like the one that Intel STS gave her for making it to the semifinals. STS awards each of the 300 semifinalists a $1,000 scholarship as well as $1,000 for the student's school, to benefit the math and science departments. Only 40 finalists will be chosen. They will take an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the Intel Science Talent Institute. There they will participate in final judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more than $500,000.
Thomas McAvoy hopes that the hubbub surrounding his daughter's project and its place in the Intel competition catches the attention of the U.S. Patent Office. "It can't hurt - it might actually push it over the edge!" he says enthusiastically. "If she makes it to the finals, I guess that the judging and all that business is in Washington D.C., which is right where the patent office is."
Regardless of the outcome, all the people who helped McAvoy over the past three years- Daempfle, Weber, her father and West Hempstead High School officials - are proud of her. "All things being equal," says Thomas, "even if it doesn't go any further than this, I am still as happy as can be. It's certainly very exciting for Elisabeth, and it makes my wife and I very proud as parents. It's an honor for her, and if it goes even further it will be something spectacular."
The STS finalists will be announced January 25.
Comments about this story? KSalute@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext 205.
