63rd Annual STS (2003-2004)
Finalists
Katherine Hartman

NEW YORK
Katherine Hartman, 17, of Schenectady, submitted an Intel Science Talent Search project in earth and space sciences regarding stellar evolution and pulsation theory. Katy studied CQ Bootis (CQ Boo), one of a group of RRc Lyrae stars that change in radius over a fixed period of time, thus causing their light to pulsate. Using the sophisticated home- based observatory of an amateur astronomer, Katy gathered images and measurements of CQ Boo and analyzed her data by combining multicolor photometry with Fourier analysis of the generated light curves. From these, she confirmed CQ Boo's classification and determined various properties including its temperature of approximately 7100K. At Guilderland Central High School in Guilderland Center, Katy is founder and president of the guitar club, co-president of the student environmental action coalition and enjoys varsity tennis and curling. As part of her work with the Rising Star Internship program, she has organized star parties in dark, remote locations for elementary school students. Winner of two astronomy scholarships and other science awards, Katy is the daughter of Dr. Charles and Li Yun Hartman and hopes to attend MIT.