DES MOINES – Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds announced today that Chloe Ibsen from Des Moines and Joseph Tibbs of Alden have been selected as the two most promising young scientific leaders in Iowa’s 2016 high school graduating class. At the invitation of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia, they will participate as delegates in the 53rd year of the National Youth Science Camp held near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia. Brittany Lende of Spirit Lake will serve as an alternate.
Chloe Ibsen is a senior at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines where she maintains a 4.4 GPA. She has been named a member of National Youth Leadership Council (2014-2016) and National Honor Society (2014-2016). She has worked as a summer intern for Vida Diagnostics in Iowa City, participated in the summer lab biotechnology program at Boston University Medical Center, attended the Global Positioning Summer Program in Beijing, China, and has been a volunteer for the Iowa Caucuses and political campaigns since 2008. She is a member of the Roosevelt High School golf and swimming teams and is a member of the Varsity Captain’s Roundtable. Chloe is enrolled at Vanderbilt University in the fall of 2016 majoring in biomedical engineering. She is the daughter of Annick and Craig Ibsen.
Joseph Tibbs, from Alden, is a senior at Iowa Falls – Alden High School with a 4.0 GPA. His academic background includes advanced coursework placement in English, Biology, Statistics, Calculus, Microeconomics, with ongoing work in Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Psychology and Calculus. He has participated in the Academic Decathlon achieving first place overall in regional competition in grades 10, 11, and 12 and qualified for the online national competition. He was honored as a Math Club state qualifier, participated in the Great Plains Math League and the American Regions Mathematics League invitational. Joseph is a member of 4-H achieving Senior Club Leadership Excellence. He is an Eagle Scout, National Merit Scholar Finalist, was nominated for the United States President Scholars Program, Member of National Honor Society and has qualified for individual and large group State Speech. He was selected for Chamber Choir and Varsity Tennis. He has been an active leader and participates in many other activities. Joseph is the son of Jacqueline and Allen Tibbs.
Established in 1963 as a part of West Virginia’s Centennial Celebration, the National Youth Science Camp is an annual summer forum where two delegates representing each state exchange ideas with leading scientists and other professionals from academic and corporate worlds. Lectures and hands-on research projects are presented by scientists from across the United States who work on some of the most provocative topics in science today – topics such as fractal geometry, the human genome project, global climate change, the history of the universe, the fate of our rain forests, and robotics. Delegates to the NYSC are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. Delegates also present seminars covering their own areas of research and interest.
The National Youth Science Camp’s diverse academic program is complemented by an outdoor recreation program, which leverages the Science Camp’s location in the Monongahela National Forest. The Science Camp’s outdoor program offers backpacking, caving, rock climbing, and mountain biking and kayaking.
Chloe Ibsen and Joseph Tibbs will be flown to Charleston, West Virginia, on Wednesday, June 15, and will return home on Sunday, July 10, 2016, after participating in this innovative educational program. The National Youth Science Foundation®, based in Charleston, West Virginia, covers all expenses, including travel.
