STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Zivvy Epstein, senior at Boulder High School

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Last summer, Zivvy was selected for an internship at Harvard University in the Moral Cognition Lab through the Department of Psychology. The internship typically is for college students, and Zivvy was in competition with Harvard undergraduates, but he was chosen. He had an amazing summer of research as a high school student.

How did you end up applying for a college internship?

I was listening to a Radiolab program and heard a Harvard professor discussing his research on brain scans and morality. I'm really interested in psychology and morality and all those big questions, so I sent an email to him. He told me about the internship and said I could apply.

How did it go?

It went phenomenally. It opened my eyes to all the cool stuff they're doing there. It gave me a brand new perspective on how cutting edge research is done and how academic life operates.

Did it change your plans for the future?

I worked with a research professor who will be at Yale next year. I would love to go there and work with him.

What have you liked the most about high school?

I just love Boulder High. There are so many types of people and opportunities. It's a place where you can really be who you are.

What would you change?

I would change the standardized testing situation. It puts unnecessary stress on the kids.

What's been your favorite class?

AP physics. It's one of the harder classes at Boulder High, but it's a totally new way of viewing science and academics. You have to team up with your classmates, and it's all self-motivated and driven.

Do you play any sports?

I'm in the cross country and track programs. I ran varsity for two years. I love the team.

How did you get into philosophy?

I've liked it for a long time. There isn't a philosophy class at Boulder High, so I took one at CU. I took the text and the stuff I learned from the class and founded Boulder High's philosophy club. I wanted the other kids to have the same opportunity and experience that I did.

What do you like to do for fun?

Hang out with friends or read a philosophical book.

What's the last book you read?

"Crime and Punishment" for school.

What's your favorite movie?

I love "Fight Club and "Being John Malkovich."

What's your dream job?

Being a researcher and thinking of these really cool ideas and testing them.

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