A junior at Friends’ Central, Rita Tang is from Chengdu, China. Tang was one of two FCS Upper School students who recently qualified to take the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME) based on their performance on the American Math Contest-12, a three-hour test that will determine the nationwide ranking of the two students. She is currently working on a science project involving DNA barcoding of native bees on Friends’ Central’s City Avenue campus and wild bees from Maine. Most recently, she has identified (together with FCS sophomore Yaya Guo) two longhorn bees, and her DNA sequences have been included in the International Barcode of Life (BOLD) database as reference sequences. Her efforts are helping Friends’ Central to have a clearer understanding of which bee and moth species are present on their campus and which species can be found at the field station in Maine where Friends’ Central students and science faculty conduct summer research. Tang also is a participant in Model United Nations and the School’s Science Core Team.
Main Line Media News: What originally sparked your interest in bees and their DNA barcoding?
Rita Tang: Although I started taking biology in junior year, I have been doing DNA barcoding since my freshman year. Friends’ Central has a lot of great lab equipment, such as a thermal cycler, micropipettes, and laboratory freezer. I was fascinated by it all and wanted to try things out. I expressed my interest to the teacher who leads this research project. Initially, I wasn’t sure exactly what everything was used for, but I am glad that I got a chance to make use of the equipment.
Main Line Media News: What has been the most interesting thing you have learned during your research project involving DNA barcoding of native bees on Friends’ Central’s City Avenue campus?
Rita Tang: In our scientific research project at school, we perform a polymerase chain reaction for any unknown species found on Friends’ Central’s City Avenue campus, primarily bees and moths. First, we extract their specific DNA to make an extract, then we copy particular genes and submit those gene copies to a lab to get the barcode sequences for that DNA. One thing that interests me a lot is that, even though two bees might look identical, they may not be the same species.
Main Line Media News: You are taking five advanced subjects, including Linear Algebra and Physics III Advanced, some of the highest level classes available at Friends’ Central. What is your favorite course at Friends’ Central and why?
Rita Tang: My favorite class is the physics class I’m currently taking. The contents this year, magnetism and electricity, are more challenging for me than last year’s class which covered motion and force. Many concepts use applied calculus, which requires logical thinking and imagination. So, I feel an unparalleled sense of accomplishment whenever I figure out an idea or solve a problem. Also, our class conducts many experiments, and I get to use experimental equipment I’ve never seen before. Although there are many things I need help in understanding, my teacher is very patient and answers my questions after class.
Main Line Media News: What has been your most memorable experience with Model UN?
Rita Tang: My most memorable experience was attending the Ivy League Model UN Conference (ILMUNC) this year. It was great for my public speaking and social skills. I was very nervous when I spoke in front of hundreds of people for the first time. However, after seeing many excellent speakers and speaking many times, I now feel I can express my ideas confidently in front of a vast group. I was so happy to meet a lot of other charismatic students who inspired me.
Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the purpose of the Science Core Team and some of its most meaningful activities.
Rita Tang: The FCS Science Core Team focuses on one research topic each year, and at the end of the year, we invite a professional guest speaker who is a scientist in that field. For instance, this year the focus is on fungi, and on April 10, Anne Pringle, a Mycologist, Fungal Biologist, and Lichenologist, visited us to talk to us about her work with mushrooms. In preparation for the scientist’s visit, we spend the previous year studying the subject and devising questions to ask our visiting scientists when they’re on campus.
Main Line Media News: What in your opinion is the best aspect of being a student at Friends’ Central?
Rita Tang: I feel heard by Friends’ Central teachers and students; people here support me and help me accomplish my goals. As an international student who lives without family in a foreign country, life isn’t always easy. FCS has always provided me with a lot of support. I am very touched by the concern of many teachers and friends.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why?
Rita Tang: My favorite book is Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was the first of Shakespeare’s books I’ve read in English. It was a brand-new experience for me; much better than reading Chinese translations. Shakespeare uses a lot of old English and invented vocabulary, but, with some patience, I was able to figure out the content. I like stories in the form of dramatic dialogue because I can take on the role of the character in the story. I played the character Macbeth in a drama performance organized by my English class. When I imitated his tone and imagined his actions repeatedly, I felt like I had become that arrogant, cowardly and hypocritical king. This book satisfies my intense love for acting.
(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)
