Leo Hernandez, Homewood High School junior, will be traveling to California this summer to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
Hernandez’s AP Physics teacher, Jacob Helf, noticed his passion for physics. “He prioritizes true learning and discovery over patterns and memorization,” Helf said.
On March 2, he competed in the Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (CARSEF) at UAB and placed first in the physical science division. He also placed in the top four senior division projects overall.
Hernandez presented his “Investigating Wave Properties of Light Through a Simplified Double Slit Experiment” which predicts the wave nature of light.
He presented his project to judges and correctly predicted how changes in the structure would affect changes in the double-slit pattern.
“It’s based on Young’s Double Slit Experiment, which consists of shining a laser through two narrow slits and analyzing an interference pattern found on a screen directly behind the slits,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez focused on the constructive and destructive interference of light.
“If two beams of light combine, they can either team up and create a brighter beam or butt heads and cancel each other out,” Helf said.
He developed a Python code to show what is required for the electric fields within each beam of light to be “in phase,” or “out of phase.” He determined whether the two beams combined for a bright spot or a dark spot.
His goal was for the code to consider both the width of the slits and the distance from the slits to the screen.
“I thought the most interesting thing about the project was understanding how light behaves as a wave,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez worked on his experiment for over a month before finalizing the project.
On April 13, Hernandez competed in the state fair, the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF) in Auburn, Alabama.
He placed third in the physical science division at the state fair. He also won $200 in prize money.
Since he placed first in the CARSEF, Hernandez automatically qualified for the national competition.
Hernandez will fly out to Los Angeles, California in mid-May. He will compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 11-17.
He will compete with the same project he has previously presented at CARSEF and ASEF.
Hernandez moved to the US at the end of last year from Guatemala. Back in Guatemala, he attended the International Montessori School.
“It is more hands-on and not nearly as strict as other schools,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez is unsure about what he wants to do in the future, but he hopes to find a job revolving around physics.
“Leo deserves all the shout-outs,” Helf said. “He’s a one-of-a-kind kid, with a brilliant mind and a humble spirit.”
