By Rebecca Shalomoff
Last week, Bronner, a senior at Rambam Mesivta, an Orthodox Jewish school in Lawrence, was named one of 40 finalists in the nation in the Intel Science Talent Search competition, for his work on that project.
Bronner was selected last month as one of 10 semifinalists from Five Towns schools, but he was the only area student to advance to the finals. All told, Long Island captured eight finalist slots the largest number for any region of the country.
Bronner's research dealt with tire-tread failure a problem that has caused hundreds of people to die and has injured thousands of others in the past few years. To begin the project, Bronner had to teach himself statistics and about the nature of polymers.
After putting in 15 hours a day last summer at SUNY Stony Brook laboratories, he developed various chemical compounds that may aid in adhesion of treads to tires while making them more durable. His findings are due to be published later this year in several scientific journals.
In addition to the $5,000 college scholarship money and laptop computer from Intel, Bronner, who is the son of Malka and Eli Bronner of Cedarhurst, received a patent for his work as well as a few job offers. He will compete in March in Washington, D.C. for additional awards, including a $100,000 top prize.
Excited by the perks his scientific research garnered, Bronner, who doesn't miss his TV-watching days, feels that his extensive study has shown him how hard he can work.
During the summer program also attended by Westinghouse winners Shira Billet and Dora Sosnowick, seniors at Stella K. Abraham High School For Girls in Hewlett Bay Park, Bronner was considered a rebel. While the other students were tucked into bed, he would return to the dorms at midnight. But Bronner wasn't doing the rounds at local bars, he was working non-stop in the lab.
I never thought I could work that hard, he said.
He is one of the best students this program has had, said Prof. Miriam Rafailovich, who runs the summer program at Stony Brook. His project is at the level of a Ph.D. student.
Bronner was asked by Rafailovich to work for the program next summer, assisting high school students with their science projects.
Bronner who spends his spare time reading, playing piano and violin, editing the school newspaper and serving as captain of the school math team credits some of his achievements in science to religious studies.
Both scientific research and Talmud study involve analytical thinking and a rigorous search for truth without assuming certain premises, said Rambam Rosh Mesivta Rabbi Zev Friedman.
Bronner is a genius, said Rambam principal Yotav Eliach. But it's not a fluke that a kid in this academic environment will flourish.
The 160 high school students in the all-boys yeshiva put in nine hours a day of academic and religious studies, and a few hours on Sunday.
Last year, the school averaged $10,000 per student in merit scholarships. Students at Rambam Mesivta scored on average in the mid-1200s on SAT tests. Close to 80 percent take Advanced Placement courses, and most score a 3 or higher. And each year, juniors and seniors print a book of essays on a tractate of Talmud.
This year was the first time Rambam Mesivta students entered the Intel Science Talent Search, after Debbie Solomon, director of college guidance at the private school, brought it to their attention.
Bronner's classmate, Michael Goldman, who also spent his summer at Stony Brook and entered the competition, received a patent for his work in studying the heating of Plexiglas at high temperatures.
Rabbi Eliach added, Even though we are a small school with a dual curriculum and don't have the resources a public school would have, our students have accomplished a lot.
