I sat on the green benches in front of my school, waiting for my mom to pick me up late, again. When she finally arrived 30 minutes behind schedule, she explained that a work meeting had delayed her. I understood the pressure she was under as a single parent raising my brother and me while juggling a full-time job. I knew she felt guilty every time she was late, feeling like she wasn't there for us. Though I didn’t know what to say to her, I tried my best to hide my disappointment, so she wouldn’t feel worse. My mother, a Taiwanese immigrant, came to the United States with dreams of building a career and a family. What she didn’t foresee was the dissatisfaction her job would bring and the challenge of raising two children alone with minimal support. She had envisioned a different life, one where she could balance her professional aspirations with being present for her family. Instead, she found herself overwhelmed, often stretched too thin between work responsibilities and parenting duties. Growing up with a single mother has been difficult. I can tell when my mom is stressed, and I want to help her. I cook at home and try to avoid arguing with her, but often, I feel powerless. Over time, I’ve realized that some things are beyond my control and shouldn't be my burden to bear. Yet, it’s tough to watch the person I love most struggle. This ongoing adversity has been one of the greatest challenges in my life. However, I believe that by supporting my mom in any way I can and remaining patient, things will improve. The moments when our family spends time together, having fun, remind me to persevere through tough times. Living through these challenges has taught me invaluable lessons. I’ve learned the importance of patience and the need to let go of things I cannot control. This understanding has shaped my character, making me more resilient and empathetic. I’ve become more self-reliant, taking on responsibilities at home to ease my mom’s burden. Through these experiences, I’ve grown to appreciate the strength it takes to face adversity and the importance of staying hopeful despite difficulties. My advice to someone in a similar situation is that everything will be okay. Sometimes, you can't change your circumstances, and it's essential to accept that. Focus on what you can control, and appreciate the people who love you. Enjoy their company and keep moving forward in life. It's crucial to enjoy each moment and to hold onto them. They serve as reminders that better days are ahead, and they can provide the strength needed to endure tough times. From this experience, I have gained both patience and resilience. I am determined to excel in high school and enroll in a great college to pursue my dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. Once I graduate, I want to give back to my mother, who has supported me in countless ways. Although I can never fully repay her, I am committed to supporting her as best as I can. Her sacrifices and unwavering dedication have inspired me to work hard and never give up, no matter how challenging life may become. Facing adversity has been a significant part of my life, but it has also been a source of profound personal growth. It has taught me to be patient, resilient, and hopeful. These qualities will guide me as I pursue my goals and strive to create a better future for myself and my family.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are groundbreaking in the way that they have demonstrated the potential of scientific advancements to impact global health. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology has drawn significant attention and has proven the ability to dramatically alter medicine and global health. Traditional vaccines are formed from weakened or inactivated viruses, but mRNA vaccines use a piece of the virus’s genetic code, in the form of messenger RNA (mRNA), to create a viral protein, such as the spike protein from the novel coronavirus. This viral protein triggers an immune response, which primed the body to fight off the virus should it be encountered, thereby making the individual protected against the virus that can cause COVID-19. Traditional vaccines often take years to develop, but an mRNA vaccine can be designed and produced within a matter of weeks. This rapid development was critically important in in responding to the pandemic of COVID-19, ultimately helping save countless lives. Being able to rapidly produce vaccines in response to emerging health threats is a giant leap forward in the war against infectious disease. Additionally, the story of mRNA vaccines is also a testament to the relentless effort and creativity of key scientific leaders including Dr. Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman. In the 1990s, Dr. Karikó, then a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, had to persevere despite significant skepticism and funding challenges while working on mRNA. Dr. Karikó and Dr. Weissman, though they faced numerous challenges in their work, persisted until they reached their goal. Weissman discovered how to modify mRNA in way that would avoid the immune system's defenses, enabling vaccines to be safe and effective. Their achievement set the stage for the rapid development of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines by commercial companies like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which are highly efficient and safe. The advantages of mRNA vaccines are clear. mRNA vaccines have produced a tremendous efficacy level in preventing diseases like COVID-19. At the same time, the flexible targeting of these vaccines helps to minimize off-target effects, which contributes to overall safety. It's just one of the many benefits of the mRNA platform that it's very versatile and can actually be adjusted quickly to address new viral variants of the pathogen, or perhaps entirely different pathogens. And as someone that really enjoys biotechnology, I hope that I can have a similar level of success in saving countless individuals.

I sat on the green benches in front of my school, waiting for my mom to pick me up late, again. When she finally arrived 30 minutes behind schedule, she explained that a work meeting had delayed her. I understood the pressure she was under as a single parent raising my brother and me while juggling a full-time job. I knew she felt guilty every time she was late, feeling like she wasn't there for us. Though I didn’t know what to say to her, I tried my best to hide my disappointment, so she wouldn’t feel worse. My mother, a Taiwanese immigrant, came to the United States with dreams of building a career and a family. What she didn’t foresee was the dissatisfaction her job would bring and the challenge of raising two children alone with minimal support. She had envisioned a different life, one where she could balance her professional aspirations with being present for her family. Instead, she found herself overwhelmed, often stretched too thin between work responsibilities and parenting duties. Growing up with a single mother has been difficult. I can tell when my mom is stressed, and I want to help her. I cook at home and try to avoid arguing with her, but often, I feel powerless. Over time, I’ve realized that some things are beyond my control and shouldn't be my burden to bear. Yet, it’s tough to watch the person I love most struggle. This ongoing adversity has been one of the greatest challenges in my life. However, I believe that by supporting my mom in any way I can and remaining patient, things will improve. The moments when our family spends time together, having fun, remind me to persevere through tough times. Living through these challenges has taught me invaluable lessons. I’ve learned the importance of patience and the need to let go of things I cannot control. This understanding has shaped my character, making me more resilient and empathetic. I’ve become more self-reliant, taking on responsibilities at home to ease my mom’s burden. Through these experiences, I’ve grown to appreciate the strength it takes to face adversity and the importance of staying hopeful despite difficulties. My advice to someone in a similar situation is that everything will be okay. Sometimes, you can't change your circumstances, and it's essential to accept that. Focus on what you can control, and appreciate the people who love you. Enjoy their company and keep moving forward in life. It's crucial to enjoy each moment and to hold onto them. They serve as reminders that better days are ahead, and they can provide the strength needed to endure tough times. From this experience, I have gained both patience and resilience. I am determined to excel in high school and enroll in a great college to pursue my dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. Once I graduate, I want to give back to my mother, who has supported me in countless ways. Although I can never fully repay her, I am committed to supporting her as best as I can. Her sacrifices and unwavering dedication have inspired me to work hard and never give up, no matter how challenging life may become. Facing adversity has been a significant part of my life, but it has also been a source of profound personal growth. It has taught me to be patient, resilient, and hopeful. These qualities will guide me as I pursue my goals and strive to create a better future for myself and my family.

I killed a fly once. With a swift clap of my hands, its tiny body and internal bug juices smeared across my palm. I didn't think much of it at the time, aside from how nasty it was as I washed it off under the sink. But when I reflect on it, that single fly that died so easily was far more complex than I truly appreciated. From its ability to fly to the intricate anatomy of its individual organs, down to the very atoms that compose it—there's so much I didn't understand. Many people might not care about the relevance of a single fly, yet there's a reason they exist. They aren’t just pesky bugs for humans to slap; they play vital roles in their ecosystems. If flies were to suddenly go extinct, who knows how many ecosystems would collapse? Or perhaps none at all. However, these questions can all be answered through science. Scientists study, experiment, observe, and record, employing various methods to learn more about the world. The more they study, the more they increase our collective understanding of the world. Thomas Hunt Morgan, for example, studied fruit flies and made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of genetics. Charles Darwin questioned the diversity of species in the natural world and founded the theory of evolution. There are numerous fields of science—biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and more—all contributing to our comprehension of the natural world. We will always encounter problems in this world, and science—the pursuit of understanding the nature of our universe—helps us solve these problems. When faced with a drought, we design ways to source water from alternative locations such as mountains, lakes, and other places. This wouldn’t be possible without understanding where water comes from and identifying safe sources. Without this knowledge, draining too much water from a specific source, like a lake, could cause greater issues, such as significant disruptions to its ecosystems. Similarly, people have developed methods to extract freshwater from the ocean using new technologies. Another critical aspect of understanding the nature of our universe lies in tackling health-related challenges. For instance, the development of vaccines and medicines is rooted in the deep understanding of biology and chemistry. Scientists decipher the mechanisms of diseases, understand how pathogens interact with the human body, and devise ways to counteract these threats. The recent development of COVID-19 vaccines is a testament to the power of scientific understanding and technological advancement. Through rapid genomic sequencing, understanding viral behavior, and leveraging mRNA technology, scientists created life-saving vaccines in record time. Additionally, our pursuit of knowledge extends beyond our immediate environment into the vast expanse of space. The exploration of space is not just about satisfying our curiosity; it holds practical significance. Satellite technology, for instance, plays a crucial role in weather forecasting, global communications, and navigation systems. Understanding celestial phenomena can also potentially protect our planet from catastrophic events, such as asteroid impacts. By studying the universe, we also seek answers to profound questions about the origins of life, the existence of other life forms, and the future of humanity. One fascinating concept that illustrates the importance of understanding the universe is the theory of relativity. Proposed by Albert Einstein, this theory revolutionized our understanding of time, space, and gravity. It has practical applications in technologies we use every day, such as GPS systems. Without accounting for the effects of relativity, GPS satellites would not provide accurate location data, demonstrating how fundamental scientific theories translate into real-world benefits. In addition to the practical applications, the quest to understand the universe also enriches our cultural and philosophical perspectives. It pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and inspires a sense of wonder and curiosity. It encourages us to ask big questions and seek answers, fostering a culture of inquiry and critical thinking. This, in turn, drives innovation and progress in all fields of human endeavor. To further our understanding of the universe, interdisciplinary approaches are essential. Combining insights from different fields, such as physics, biology, and computer science, can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. For example, the emerging field of quantum computing holds the potential to solve complex problems that are currently beyond our reach. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, researchers aim to revolutionize fields ranging from cryptography to drug discovery. Moreover, collaboration and open sharing of knowledge are crucial in the scientific community. Global challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, and resource depletion, require coordinated efforts and the pooling of expertise and resources. International scientific collaborations, such as the Large Hadron Collider project or the Human Genome Project, exemplify how collective efforts can lead to monumental advancements in our understanding. As we look to the future, education plays a pivotal role in this endeavor. Encouraging curiosity and a passion for learning in the younger generation is vital. By providing robust science education and fostering an environment where questioning and exploration are encouraged, we prepare the next generation of scientists and innovators. They will carry forward the torch of discovery, continuing to unravel the mysteries of the universe and finding solutions to the challenges we face. In conclusion, understanding the nature of our universe is of paramount importance for several reasons. It enables us to solve practical problems, improve our quality of life, and address global challenges. It also enriches our cultural and philosophical perspectives, inspiring a sense of wonder and curiosity. By employing interdisciplinary approaches, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing education, we can continue to expand our knowledge and drive human progress. The pursuit of understanding is a never-ending journey, one that continuously pushes the boundaries of what we know and opens new horizons for exploration and discovery.

As I sit in my mother’s office and watch her diligently work, I see line after line of code on her monitor screen. Though I cannot interpret any of it, curiosity sparks interest in me. From a young age, I have always known that computer science will be an important aspect of my future career. As I have grown older and gained more of my own experience in computer science through various summer programs, as well as a robotics class in junior high school, I have learned that critical thinking and problem solving are the fundamentals of engineering. These skills require thinking from both inside and outside of the box. When peering inside the box, it can be seen that computer science requires structure and principles to create something functional. And outside the box, creativity and flexible thinking are the basics to solving problems and creating something new. During the summer programs and my 8th grade robotics class, I have practiced and applied these skills to various projects. In different summer programs, I created a website about current environmental issues and learned to create games with Python, which I shared with mentors. In robotics, I did various small-scale projects with unique prompts, such as creating a windmill with as little resources as possible, using different methods to create safe transportation methods for disabled people, etc. I hope to learn more about the structure and principles of computer science through the Principles of Computer Science course, while also developing my creativity and problem-solving skills. Though I have known about my interest in computer science from a young age, I have also gained a new passion to pursue during high school—biology, particularly genetics. I find it fascinating that a small molecule, DNA, is the ‘code’ behind all simple and complex organisms on earth. But I also came to the realization that all programs, no matter how complex, exist due to lines of code, similarly to the way in which genes provide the instructions to create organisms. My fascination in biology has inspired me to pursue the field, but I have not given up on my interest in computer science. I want to combine my passion of biology and interest, as well as background, in computer science by pursuing biotechnology. Biotechnology has a great impact on the world, as it has allowed for the development of various new medical technologies, and it continues to develop further. I hope to contribute to this development in my future career by creating more new technologies that can be of great help to the medical field and save many lives. I will work diligently to develop my computer science and biotechnology skills, and use them to contribute to the medical field one day.