CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Young scientists and mathematicians got a speed course in encryption and decryption techniques and how math can be applied to solve modern-day social problems, as part of their introduction to the National Youth Science Camp Wednesday night.

Each summer, two outstanding high school science students from each state are sent to West Virginia for an intense session of learning and outdoor adventure. The students stay overnight with volunteer Charleston families before being taken to a Pocahontas County 4-H camp in the middle of the Monongahela National Forest.

Wednesday's Martha Gaines Wehrle Memorial Lecture, "Keeping Secrets: The mathematics, physics, and social implications of encryption technology," was given by 1979 science camp alumnus Dr. D.B. "Zoon" Nguyen, a radiation oncologist in Mansfield, Ohio.

Nguyen explained how encryption techniques have been around for centuries and that without them, things like e-mail, Internet banking and e-commerce would not be possible.

He also showed how a simple math problem and understanding how encryption and decoding of a secret message works can be applied to modern-day social problems.

"Hundred of thousands of Iranians citizens believe that their current election was a fraud and are protesting," he said. While the government has made it clear that protesters who oppose the current election will be punished, many people in the country are still trying to make their voices heard.

Nguyen asked the audience how the citizens of Iran could communicate with each other about protesting without the government interfering.

"In other words, how does Abrahim know that Bosan sent the message and not someone in the government?" he asked.

Nguyen compares the two Iranian men sending messages back and forth to two people sending each other secret information in a locked trunk.

"We can send the secret documents in the locked trunk, but what about the key?" he asked. "How can we be sure that Bob will be able to open the trunk sent by Alice?"

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Young scientists and mathematicians got a speed course in encryption and decryption techniques and how math can be applied to solve modern-day social problems, as part of their introduction to the National Youth Science Camp Wednesday night.

Each summer, two outstanding high school science students from each state are sent to West Virginia for an intense session of learning and outdoor adventure. The students stay overnight with volunteer Charleston families before being taken to a Pocahontas County 4-H camp in the middle of the Monongahela National Forest.

Wednesday's Martha Gaines Wehrle Memorial Lecture, "Keeping Secrets: The mathematics, physics, and social implications of encryption technology," was given by 1979 science camp alumnus Dr. D.B. "Zoon" Nguyen, a radiation oncologist in Mansfield, Ohio.

Nguyen explained how encryption techniques have been around for centuries and that without them, things like e-mail, Internet banking and e-commerce would not be possible.

He also showed how a simple math problem and understanding how encryption and decoding of a secret message works can be applied to modern-day social problems.

"Hundred of thousands of Iranians citizens believe that their current election was a fraud and are protesting," he said. While the government has made it clear that protesters who oppose the current election will be punished, many people in the country are still trying to make their voices heard.

Nguyen asked the audience how the citizens of Iran could communicate with each other about protesting without the government interfering.

"In other words, how does Abrahim know that Bosan sent the message and not someone in the government?" he asked.

Nguyen compares the two Iranian men sending messages back and forth to two people sending each other secret information in a locked trunk.

"We can send the secret documents in the locked trunk, but what about the key?" he asked. "How can we be sure that Bob will be able to open the trunk sent by Alice?"

The modern-day Iranian communication problem was just one of many topics that Nguyen touched on in his lecture, and was a peek at what the students from all over the country and the world will learn about during the four-week camp.

For the first time, the science camp includes delegates from 10 different countries, including Argentina, Mexico, Germany, Chile, and Brazil.

Jéssica and Karla, two of the six delegates from Mexico, were a little nervous about attending the camp in America since English is not their native language, but they are excited about the outdoor activities that the camp offers and the seminars.

Jéssica, who will be studying engineering in college in Mexico, is also looking forward to the observation tower at the camp in Pocahontas County.

Karla was looking forward to meeting others who might be planning to go into her chosen field of neurology.

Madelyn, one of the delegates from Alaska, is excited to be spending her summer with other young people who are passionate about their fields.

"I'm just extremely excited to be with people who are so passionate and eager to work in medicine and science," she said.

Madelyn, who took three different flights from her home in Alaska at attend the science camp, is also excited for some of the staff who will be heading the camp.

"One specific thing I am excited for is I heard one of the staff members was able to cure opium addicts with acupuncture," she said. "It's really cool that someone could use Eastern medicine that way."

This year, the National Youth Science Foundation bought 110 acres in Canaan Valley, which will become the camp's first permanent, year-round home, said Ronald G. Pearson, chairman of the foundation's Board of Trustees.

Reach Kathryn Gregory at kathr...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5119.