Saratoga High School Senior is Siemens Semifinalist

Saratoga High School senior Amanda Chow is among 48 students in California earning a spot as a semifinalist in the prestigious Siemens Competition in math, science, engineering and technology, or STEM.

Amanda advanced in the 2012 challenge on Oct. 19 and her project explored a liquid called pyrolysis oil, or bio-oil, which is a promising source of renewable energy as an alternative to petroleum and other fossil fuels, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District said in a press release.

The competition recognizes promising young scientists who are willing to take on the challenge of scientific research, the release stated.

Amanda and her fellow semifinalists are recognized as some of the brightest scientific minds in high school, the district said in the statement.

Regional finalists will go on to the national competition to be held Dec. 1-4 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. to compete for the grand prize of $500,000 in scholarships.

The final winners will be announced Dec. 4.

Administered by the College Board, the Siemens Competition awards one $3,000 prize to an individual and one $6,000 prize to a team at each regional competition.