Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, May 11, 2009

Siblings Ann and Richard Cooper have a lifelong love of science. A Lafayette senior, Ann might major in psychology and become a physical therapist. Richard, an eighth-grader at Morton, is leaning toward engineering. (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

Burying raw chicken in the backyard, tinkering with door hinges in the family basement, monitoring crayfish in a lab at UK – it’s a way of life for the science-loving Cooper siblings, who are always on the lookout for new experiments and experiences.

“There’s a lot of questions out there that still need to be answered,” said Ann, a senior at Lafayette High School. “Going out there and being a scientist yourself is a great way to learn new things.”

Ann and her brother Richard, an eighth-grader at Morton Middle School, come by their interest honestly, if not genetically. Their dad, Robin, is a neurobiologist at the University of Kentucky, and their mom, Hyewon, is a nurse at Central Baptist Hospital. Robin Cooper kept the kids a lot while his wife was in nursing school, so Ann practically grew up in his lab (along with the crayfish).

Dad’s constant encouragement: “Be interested in what’s around you. Question nature, and try to understand nature around you in the most in-depth way you can.”

That foundation has paid off for Ann, whose accomplishments include:

• First place in behavioral sciences at last month’s Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair, along with an American Psychological Society Award and a nomination to represent Kentucky at National Science Camp;
• First place in behavioral and social sciences at February’s district science fair;
• Second place in animal sciences at last year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, the world’s premier science fair.

Little brother Richard is keeping pace, too. He notched a second-place Best of Fair in physical sciences award at the Kentucky science fair as well as a first-place finish in environmental management. He also was the overall eighth-grade winner in environmental sciences in the earlier district competition.

Besides the family connections, the Cooper kids trace their love of science back to Glendover Elementary, where a certain teacher made an impression. “She was really supportive and always encouraged us to question what we see,” Ann recalled.

“They both came with a lot of knowledge from reading and doing things on their own,” said Karen Dove, now Glendover’s curriculum specialist. “They were anxious to do the hands-on experiments and always seemed thrilled when they discovered something new.”

Since then, the Coopers haven’t been short on ideas.

One time Ann tested red pepper as a natural insect repellant. “But the data didn’t come out like I wanted,” she admitted, since the fruit flies died.

Then there was the “murder scene” of chicken parts. “I was testing different ways of burying things, like in sand or dirt,” explained Richard, who dug up the meat every couple of weeks to record the weight and bacteria growth.

Once while traveling in Korea and Russia, Richard noticed how door hinges differed in size and placement. That led to a basement experiment at home. Another time, soil erosion along Interstate 75 inspired a project.

“Richard more or less has followed his older sister’s footsteps. (But) he wants to come up with his own ideas,” his father said.

Ann was born in Switzerland and Richard in Canada during their dad’s studies abroad. They moved to the United States when Ann was 4 and her brother 1. As teenagers, they are outgoing and active with varied interests.

“Dance has always been kind of a hobby,” said Ann, who also served on Student Council. Richard plans to take guitar lessons this summer and try out for the Lafayette swim team next year. Both enjoy hiking and caving.

“We let them have their freedom,” Robin Cooper said. “They’re good kids. They definitely have a mind of their own.”