TRYON — Are you smarter than a fifth-grader? How about a 5-year-old?

A preschooler at Tuesday School in Tryon recently received a book and message from scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

Julia Hasley is 5 years old, taught herself to read at the age of 3, has the periodic table memorized and is learning her multiplication tables — all before being enrolled in kindergarten.

She recently wrote an email to Tyson after watching an episode of “Cosmos.”

Her dad, Dennis, said Julia started asking questions about some of the planets and, by the end of the program, she was determined to ask the “guy on TV” some questions.

“Julia has a huge fascination with numbers, chemistry and science in general,” Dennis said. “She uses a lab simulator on her computer, and ever since her first ‘discovery’ of phosphorus, she was hooked on science and particularly the elements of the periodic table.”

So, Julia wrote an email to Tyson. Dennis said he had his doubts Tyson would answer, as he is a busy person who is in high demand, and his time is billable.

“I was just hoping for any reply from any number of his capable staff,” Dennis said. “Once we sent the email, I explained that we may not get a reply, but at least we tried.”

To Dennis’ surprise, one of Tyson’s staff took a special interest in her email, and Tyson himself took the time to send Julia an autographed periodic table and his most recent book, along with highlights on a chapter he felt she would be interested in.

“We attribute much of Julia’s self-driven education pursuits to the wonderful teachers at Tuesday School,” Dennis said. “She simply loves the idea of school and learning in general. The encouragement given by everyone at Tuesday School, including her peers, built a desire to learn, share and investigate any mystery as a project that needs to be solved.”

Dennis said he could not resist helping her precocious wish to reach out to one of the most influential minds in science for some of her answers. The fact that Tyson acknowledged her email speaks volumes for his understanding of how a little encouragement can go a long way for a developing mind that is reaching for big ideas, Dennis said.

Julia’s Tuesday School teacher, Courtney Newlin, said Julia has been in her class for two years, and she is very dear to her heart.

“She has amazed me since day one with her advanced academics, and has developed so much socially over the last couple of years, thanks to her great group of friends at Tuesday School,” Newlin said. “She entertains us all with her knowledge of the periodic table of elements, her number jack games for multiplication and reading to us in Russian. She is an ambitious students who keeps us laughing, smiling and on our toes. We can’t wait to see the places Julia will go.”

Julia’s email to Dr. Tyson:

Hi, I’m Julia. I’m five years old.  I’m a scientist too.  My favorite element is P15 phosphorus. I like all the elements on the periodic table. P15 is just my favorite element. I counted one hundred and eighteen elements in my TocaLab. I have only discovered ninety five elements so far but seen them on YouTube on my small TV also. Some are just shy.

I have a question, “Why is Frankium so shy?” I am trying to discover him on my TocaLab. He don’t like to be discovered. I need more elements.

Jupiter is my favorite planet because it starts with a J like Julia and it is the biggest planet I have ever seen.  What elements make Jupiter? Why is it so big?

I have balloons as pretend element friends. Like P15 Phosphorus and Oxygen O8.  I have ten element balloons. I write their number on them so they don’t forget. What is your favorite element? Papa’s is AU79 Gold. 

Thank you. 

Please write me back. It is serious and a mystery.