image of student in woods

PTHS senior Gage Gottman has been selected as one of two delegates from Kentucky to attend the National Youth Science Camp.

The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a program of the National Youth Science Foundation. It is a residential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising leaders and provide them with opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities.  There is also an arts program where delegates have many opportunities to learn techniques and create in multiple art mediums and join performing arts ensembles. The delegations also travel to Washington, DC where they can meet congressional members, tour museums, and attend a panel discussion held at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state, the District of Columbia, and from countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago. Housing, meals, transportation, and supplies are provided to participants at no cost.  The program is hosted in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.

Gottman is an AP Scholar, an alumnus of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program, a US Presidential Scholar Candidate, and a Paducah Bank Teen of the Week.  He served for two years as a Diabetes Ambassador in the Kentucky and Indiana region for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, helping raise almost $500,000 for the Foundation.

He is Founder and Captain of Tilghman’s Esports Team, and also builds computers and provides computer hardware, software, and maintenance instruction and coaching services.  He is a member of the National HonorSociety and serves on the Board of Directors for Tilghman’s Environmental Sustainability Club.  A four-year member of the Tilghman Academic Team, he has won numerous district and regional team awards andis co-leader of the Future Problem Solving Team.  He is a member of theTilghman Concert Choir and a former member of the Tilghman Marching, Concert, and Pep Bands.  Gottman is also currently working toward
obtaining his private pilot’s license.

He plans to attend Purdue University in the fall and major in biochemistry.  He is the son of Jason and Erin Gottman.