Date: Fri 29-Dec-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Kate-Zimmermann-school-science

Full Text:

Kate Zimmermann Plans A Science Career

The walls in Kate Zimmerman's room are adorned with posters and pictures of

the droopy-eyed and wizened face of the legendary genius Albert Einstein.

While few of the Newtown High School senior's features resemble those of

Einstein's, her amazing brain capacity could lead some to believe she is a

distant relative of the author of the theory of relativity.

"He came up with so many theories that we're still trying to figure out today.

He was a genius, and I love his hair," said Kate, 17, of 29 Rowledge Pond

Road.

Ranked first in her NHS class of 1996, Kate was recently accepted to attend

the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge,

Mass.

Kate, whose grandfather helped develop the first atomic bomb at a secret site

in Washington during World War II, plans to study aeronautical engineering, a

field that has fascinated her ever since she began gazing up at the stars and

wondering what was beyond.

"I remember watching movies about space and being amazed," remembers Kate.

" Apollo 13 took me over the edge."

She is currently working on creating a model of the Hubble Space Telescope

with the help of mentor Linda Abromiwitz, and hopes to some day join the NASA

space program as either an astronaut, an inventor of robotics or a mission

control crew member.

Though the numbers have evened out in recent years, Kate realizes she is about

to enter into a world of science that has been dominated by men.

"That's how it has been in the past, but I think it will change gradually,"

said Kate, the daughter of Frank and Carol Zimmerman. "I don't think women

used to be encouraged to get into science. It seems to be getting more

acceptable though."

Kate spent six weeks studying in an engineering program for women at the

University of Maryland this past summer and went to Space Camp in Alabama the

year before.

Like Einstein, who fought for peace, equal rights and nuclear disarmament

around the world, Kate has a sincere concern for others.

"Kate has a real social consciousness," explained her guidance counselor, Jan

English. "At this young age, she's not at all self-absorbed."

Kate spent a week last summer as part of a work camp program repairing houses

in West Virginia and worked on homes in Newtown with a group from Trinity

Episcopal Church in an AmeriCare program.

Though she's been tested to have a similar personality to that of Einstein on

a vocational aptitude assessment, Kate's rare understanding of science, math

and the social needs of others is where her similarities with Einstein end.

Unlike Einstein, who was known as much for his anti-social behavior and

absentmindedness as he was for his brilliance, Kate's accomplishments go far

beyond her number crunching. She is a key member of both the NHS girls' cross

country and lacrosse teams, is the president of the NHS International Club,

has taught astronomy and Green Eagles classes at Middle Gate School and is a

silent leader among her peers.

"Kate is just such a great kid," said Mrs English. "She's bright, she's

athletic and she's modest. Her whole face lights up when she smiles."

Kate is also an accomplished organist, performing regularly at Trinity Church.

"There's so much that I want to do. I want to experience so many things," Kate

said.

Though Kate is blessed with natural intelligence, her mom credits her

schooling, especially early on when Kate attended the Montessori School.

"It was a great for a girl. She was quiet, and she was really brought forward

there," her mother said. "They really teach you to be self-directed."

Mrs Zimmerman said her daughter has always been methodical and would spend

hours building airplanes, trucks, and space modules with her Legos. Kate, a

member of the Guidance, National, French and Spanish honor societies, also

gives credit to her former teachers like George Stockwell, Jack Bolander, John

Vouros, Frank Tomaino, NHS Principal Bill Manfredonia and Mrs English.