KID REPORT
May 30, 2003
Kid Scientist in the Spotlight
TFK Kid Reporter Martin Jacobs talks with an 11-year-old scientist, activist and filmmaker
 Andrew Hsu, 11-year-old scientist and volunteer. |
At 11-years-old, Andrew Hsu is the youngest winner of the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair. By the time he is 13, he hopes to be in college! Hsu's scientific curiosity started early. At 2, he demonstrated his problem-solving skills by assembling LEGO blocks into a robot as tall as he was!
He recently started his own charity, the World Children's Organization. The foundation is raising money for schools and health kits for kids all over the world. Amazingly, Andrew also finds time to be a competitive swimmer.
TFK: What brought you into the science world?
Andrew: I was interested in genetics (a kind of biology that deals with the inherited traits), which is what I did my science fair project on. I think genetics is one of the greatest discoveries of the century.
TFK: Did your parents encourage you with science?
Andrew: Of course. They really helped me with science. But I also taught myself. A lot of it came naturally, though. But it did get frustrating. One of my projects took one year.
TFK: You recently competed in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)? What was your project about?
Andrew: I identified a new gene that has never been reported before, COL20A1. Genes make proteins, and the protein that this gene makes is the type XX collagen. Collagen is the major family of proteins in the human body. They strengthen connective tissues, ligaments, bones, skin, and organs.
TFK: Now you're going to college at 13! Where will you be studying? Are you excited or nervous?
Andrew: I'm kind of excited and nervous. I'll be with all these kids that are way older. I actually haven't applied to any of those colleges but I want to. I just think I have a good chance of getting into college next year.
TFK: On top of swimming, are there any other hobbies you enjoy?
Andrew: Well, I like filmmaking. I've made some documentaries. I recently made a documentary on (the artist) Pablo Picasso. But I don't have a lot of time to relax. The only time I might relax is during my work! But I like that life. It's very interesting and full of possibilities and opportunities to do stuff. It's better than a boring life! That's for sure!
TFK: What scientific discovery do you think is the most groundbreaking?
Andrew: I think Newton's laws (laws of gravity). They helped us a lot with space travel.
TFK: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
Andrew: I want to be a medical researcher and a doctor. I chose not to be just a doctor because a doctor can only heal one person at a time, but a medical researcher can heal all if he discovers a cure for a major disease, such as AIDS or Alzheimers.
TFK: What is the best advice you think you can give to kids?
Andrew: Be resourceful. Find a subject that you are interested in, and work hard on it. If you run into any problems, try every way that you can think of to solve it. Search on the Internet, look in libraries, bookstores, ask your parents, contact mentors and teachers, and ask around for help. Be a pest, and if you know that you have made the adults feel uncomfortable, then you know that you have succeeded.
