In many ways, Centennial High School student Henry Zheng is a typical teenager.

As a senior in high school, he's busy filling out college applications and finishing his high school career. In his time away from school, he plays the piano and volunteers at the library shelving books.

But he also has a knack for neuroscience.

His interest and talent in the field led him to author the paper "Multisensor Data Fusion for Prosthetic Control" -- a treatise on improving the function of a prosthetic limb to better resemble a real limb  -- which he presented at the 11th International Conference on Information Fusion in Cologne, Germany in June.

According to one of Zheng's teachers, Michelle Bagley, Zheng's presentation at the conference came as a surprise to some of the professionals in attendance.

"They didn't even know he was a kid. It was a shock for some of the attendees," said Bagley, Centennial's gifted and talented resource teacher.

Zheng, 17, recently added another feather to his cap when he was selected as a regional finalist in a national research competition for students.

Zheng is one of 100 students from across the country selected for the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, according to a press release from the Howard County school system.

Zheng said his interest in research and science stems from observing his parents, both of whom are computer network engineers.

"They are engaged in the same kind of research," he said. "They were my examples. I saw them go through the motions."

Most of his work involves research, Zheng said, and consists of reading voluminous studies.

"Basically I just read tons and tons of stuff," he added.

Through a college-level research and internship course in which Zheng is enrolled, he works with a professional mentor, Jeff Lesho, at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Zheng is pinning his future career hopes on neuroscience, and is applying to Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard to further his studies, he said.

Underneath all of the prestigious awards and Ivy League hopes, those who know Zheng say he is just a normal kid.

"When you meet him, he is just an average kid. He does do a lot of community service ... (and) is involved in a lot of clubs," Bagley said. "He's just a nice kid."

* Howard Community College will be holding three information sessions for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering. The sessions will be held: Nov. 17, 7 p.m. in the media center at Wilde Lake High School (5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia); Nov. 18, 7 p.m. in the media center at Oakland Mills High School (9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia); and Nov. 19, 6:15 p.m. at the Rouse Co. Foundation Student Services Hall at HCC (10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia). For more information, call 410-772-4599.

* Howard High School PTSA will hold a Longaberger Basket Bingo Night Saturday, Nov. 8 at The Lodge. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Food will be available for purchase. The Lodge is at 2832 Nine Mile Circle, in Catonsville. Call 443-864-0396 or 410-530-3829.

* A Child Safety & Protection Festival, sponsored by the New York Life Insurance Co., will be held at Cradlerock School Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event will offer fingerprinting and photos for child identification cards, demonstrations by the Howard County police and fire departments, and other activities. The school is at 6700 Cradlerock Way, in Columbia.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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