Whiz Kids: West Hills students are honored in Washington, D.C.

Each week, Bloomfield Patch features students doing amazing things in their schools and in their communities. This week's Whiz Kids were guests at a June 16 hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology because they're one of eight winning teams in the 14th annual ExploraVision Awards National Competition, sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association.

Claudia Cooper and Samantha Tarnopol

• Grade: Seventh
• School: , West Bloomfield
• Achievement: Regional winners and second-place national winners in science competition that drew 4,000 entries from students through high school. Their project, a surgically implantable disc to help patients with breathing disorders, was displayed at the U.S. Capitol. Each girl received a $5,000 savings bond and HD camcorder, in addition to the expense-paid capital visit.
• Key to awesomeness: "Claudia and Samantha are great role models for their peers," local Congressman Gary Peters said at the recent event on Capitol Hill, televised by the C-SPAN public affairs network. Their work "demonstrates how the application of scientific concepts can improve the quality of our lives and meaningfully impact our society," he added. As Claudia sat at the witness table alongside Amy Attard, her science teacher and ExploraVision coach, Rep. Peters praised her "excellent academic achievements" and well-rounded interests in three sports, playing the oboe and volunteer work with special needs youngsters. (A webcast of the hearing is archived here.)

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Bloomfield Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Art.Aisner@patch.com. Please include all these details:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• What makes him or her successful