Advice on researching Cryptography & Mathematics in High School

From: circle_k (circle_k_at_linuxmail.org)
Date: 08/18/03 

Date: 17 Aug 2003 20:04:01 -0700

Hello,

I am a sophomore in high school, and _very_ interested in
cryptography. I sought this group for advice on amatuer research and
study I could do in high school. But, I am only in Precalculus, so my
level of math maturity is somewhat limited. I know crypto requires a
good deal of math, I've read AC before, and understood that at a
conceptual level, but it seems like the kind of book you need to read
twice to really "get it". However, I do read a lot about math on my
own. Mainly number theory (which got me into crypto), discrete math
and economics (game theory). Math, programming and crypto are my
hobbies. Now, my question is, what can I do in high school, what can I
do now, to produce something interesting in the field of cryptography?
Also, what books are recommened that I could understand? I know HAC is
a great text, but seems a bit math intense. I've been reading this
group for some time now, and I've heard of a few young people who have
done this sort of thing with cryptography. Namely, Tom St Denis (whom
I recall was in high school in some of his posts, he seemed to know
his stuff pretty well :) and Sarah Flannery, the girl who did research
on a modified RSA algorithm. Ideally, I would be interested in
presenting this at science competitions that I'm part of at my school.
Also, I have been reading on the NSA's program for students in high
school. If you do well enough in high school, they flip the bill for
college and you go work for them after your done. This doesn't sound
like a bad thing to me, but I know working for the NSA has been
frowned upon by some people on the internet. Are there any opinions on
that program offered? The most attractive part of the deal is that I
save me and my folks a few bucks in college. So, forgive me the long
post, but I'm asking the guys who know it best. Any help with this is
greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

John K.
Benet Academy
Chicago, Illinois

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