Page 7 - Lesson Note 2

Ebright’s scientific curiosity. His high school research into the purpose of the spots
on a monarch pupa eventually led him to his theory about cell life. Richard Ebright
has been interested in science since he first began collecting butterflies — but not
so deeply that he hasn’t time for

other interests. Ebright also became a champion debater and public speaker and
a good canoeist and all-around outdoors-person. He is also an expert
photographer, particularly of nature and scientific exhibits. In high school Richard
Ebright was a straight-A student. Because learning was easy, he turned a lot of his
energy towards the Debating and Model United Nations clubs. He also found

someone to admire — Richard A. Weiherer, his social studies teacher and adviser
to both clubs. “Mr Weiherer was the perfect person for me then. He opened my
mind to new ideas,” Ebright said. “Richard would always give that extra effort,”
Mr Weiherer said. “What pleased me was, here was this person who put in three
or four hours at night doing debate research besides doing all his research with
butterflies and his other interests. “Richard was competitive,” Mr Weiherer

continued, “but not in a bad sense.” He explained, “Richard wasn’t interested in
winning for winning’s sake or winning to get a prize. Rather, he was winning
because he wanted to do the best job he could. For the right reasons, he wants to
be the best.” And that is one of the ingredients in the making of a scientist. Start
with a first-rate mind, add curiosity, and mix in the will to win for the right
reasons. Ebright has these qualities. From the time the book, The Travels of
Monarch X, opened the world of science to him, Richard Ebright has never lost his
scientific curiosity.

Room mate- a person occupying the same room as another.
Researcher- a person who carries out academic or scientific research.