Ossining Student Wins National Award for Research on Solar Cells

Ossining High School senior Skyler Jones won first place in the chemistry category in the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Maryland last weekend.

She was one of eight students who took first place in their scientific discipline at 56th annual symposium, which is organized by the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force and administered by the nonprofit Academy of Applied Science. Each winner received a $12,000 scholarship. The chemistry category includes physical chemistry, materials science, alternative fuels and geochemistry.

Skyler was recognized for her research that advances the science of perovskite solar cells. She identified key properties of a perovskite crystal’s atomic structure that make it a highly efficient semiconductor. She discovered why perovskites can perform almost as well as silicon but at a much lower cost. Her research will help developers optimize perovskite solar cell efficiencies and develop new semiconductor materials.

To be eligible to compete in the national JSHS competition, students must present their research at one of 47 regional competitions. The top five students from each region competed in the national event. Skyler, who is in OHS' Science Research Program, came in first place at the Upstate Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in New York earlier this year.

Skyler, who will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall, has received numerous awards and accolades this year for her research on perovskite crystals and other academic achievements. In March, she finished eighth in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2018 and received $60,000. Last fall, her project was one of 60 regional finalists in the 2017 national Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. She is also one of three OHS seniors who are finalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.