An inexpensive yet accurate spectrograph has netted a 17-year-old girl a $100,000 scholarship in Oklahoma City.

Mary Masterman was named the winner of the Intel Science Talent Search this week for her spectrograph design. Masterman is a senior at an Oklahoma City high school.

More than 1,700 high school seniors entered the 66th annual contest.

Masterman designed and built the spectrograph, which can routinely cost as much as $100,000. Masterman's spectrograph costs less than $1,000.

She received the prize from Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett Tuesday night. Masterman told the Associated Press she has been interested in science since she was a child, and hopes to become a physicist or chemist.

The contest counts among its former winners six Nobel Laureates, three National Medal of Science winners, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and two Fields medalists.

Among the former winners of the competition's top award are six Nobel Laureates, three National Medal of Science winners, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and two Fields Medalists.

Source: Portsmouth Herald