58th Annual STS (1998–1999)
Finalists
James Michael Hansen

James Michael Hansen, 17, of Silver Spring, questioned the effectiveness of field theory techniques commonly used in particle physics for his Intel Science Talent Search project. He examined the low energy theorems for nucleon-nucleon scattering that test the validity of the chiral expansion, a key assumption in this field. James concluded that the theorem makes successful predictions in a certain environment, called 1/a, but not on the chiral expansion—conclusions that could have significant implications in nuclear physics. James is coauthor of two papers accepted for publication, one of which, in preprint form, has already been cited in a dozen other papers. At Montgomery Blair High School, James is drummer in the jazz band, is president of stage crew and enjoys swing dancing. Two years ago, dismayed that his school offered no philosophy courses, he started the philosophy club and serves as president. The son of James and Margaret Hansen, he counts among his hobbies music, water skiing, mountain biking and existential literature. He plans to study physics at Caltech.

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