The 2020 Southeast Polk Outstanding Science award winner is the embodiment of everything a teacher could wish to see from a student in our science department. Emma Barker has challenged herself every year in science by taking advanced versions of Physics, Earth Science, Biology and Chemistry; and continued beyond those courses taking AP Biology and AP Chemistry. She not only completed all of these courses, she excelled in each of them and plans on continuing her passion for science by majoring in Chemistry at the University of Iowa. Emma exhibits all the qualities needed to become a great scientist. She has the curiosity and creativity to push the boundaries of science, and discover new knowledge that could have profound impacts on society. She also has the logical mindset needed to critically evaluate evidence and digest it all in an unbiased manner. Lastly, she shows the perseverance necessary to master scientific content and apply this content in a manner that could expand mankind’s understanding of the natural world. On top of all of this, her personable nature has allowed her to complete her high school career with a level of grace that few students demonstrated before her. It is a great honor to present this award to Emma Barker for all she has shown to myself and the rest of the science department.