Emily Mathews, a senior at W. Tresper Clarke High School in the East Meadow Union Free School District, has been selected a semifinalist in the Intel Science Competition. Mathews is one of only 300 students nationwide to be honored in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search (STS).

Mathews' submission, "The Effects of the Racial Diversity of High School Environments on Ethnic Attitudes," was the result of several months of research under the guidance of Dr. Carol Smyth, W. Tresper Clarke High School's Science Department chairperson.

Mathews prepared a PowerPoint presentation consisting of 16 photographs of students from four ethnic groups: Caucasian, Asian-Indian, Asian and African American, with two males and two females representing each ethnic group. She invited all of the Nassau County public schools to participate in the study. Mathews ended up working with 10 public schools around Long Island.

As part of her research, each of Mathews' participants was shown the PowerPoint presentation. Each photograph of the male and female representatives was flashed on the screen for 10 seconds and participants were given 90 seconds to answer a corresponding survey for each photograph. The survey consisted of 22 questions covering areas such as extracurricular involvement, academics, character and athletic participation. The participants filled out a survey for each photograph and completed a personal demographics information sheet on race and gender and also answered questions as to whether the majority of their friends were of the same race as the participants.

Mathews analyzed the data and found there was a correlation between racial diversity of the high school environment and its students' ethnic attitudes. Specifically, students in more racially diverse high school environments exhibited less bias in their racial attitudes. Students whose friends tended to be of the same ethnic background showed more bias in their attitudes. In addition, Mathews found that many students still held stereotypical views of various ethnic groups.

In recognition of her achievement, Mathews will receive $1,000 from the Intel Corporation.

W. Tresper Clarke High School will also receive $1,000 to support the school's science and math programs. If selected as one of the 40 national finalists, Mathews will be provided with an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC to attend the Science Talent Institute, where she will have the opportunity to compete for college scholarships totaling more than $600,000.

Mathews is actively involved in student life at W. Tresper Clarke High School as a member of the track team, Mathletes, Red Cross Club, Key Club, A World of Difference Club, president of the Honor Society and French Honor Society, co-president of the Science Honor Society, co-president of the Multicultural Club and co-vice president of AIDS Peer Leadership Club. She also dances outside of her school activities.

Mathews has been accepted at Yale University, where she hopes to major in politics, ethics and economics.