07 June 2007
Students from 51 Countries Compete in Science Fair
South African students win first-place awards in three categories
Washington -- Each year, the best of the best student science fairs from all over the world compete for substantial cash and scholarship prizes at the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which in 2007 was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in May.
The fair is one of several competitions supported by the Intel Corporation to encourage science study by students. Students from more than 51 countries competed for more than $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, computers and scientific field trips at this year’s fair, the 57th since its inception in 1950. Three American students won highest awards at the competition and $50,000 college scholarships.
The corporation also sponsors the Intel Science Talent Search. (See related article.)
Dayan Li, 17, from Greenbelt, Maryland, won for his project on blood vessel growth, which has implications for the field of cancer treatment. “We can maximize our success by knowing what we are passionate about and by pursuing that passion,” said Li in his speech as class valedictorian on June 1, just days after the fair. ‘‘This is the day that the real fun begins.”
Philip Vidal Streich, 16, from Platteville, Wisconsin, won for his project showing for the first time that carbon nanotubes are thermodynamically soluble, which may bring closer practical applications for these ultrastrong and highly conductive materials. In addition to his scholarship, Streich won $20,000 in cash and savings bonds and a trip to a science contest in China this summer.
Dmitry Vaintrob, 18, originally from Russia but living in Eugene, Oregon, won for a project on string topology that could lead to new applications in theoretical physics. Vaintrob was one of three students to receive all-expenses-paid trips to the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar in December. In addition to visiting scientific institutes and attending the Nobel-Prize winners’ lectures and press conferences, the students will have the opportunity to learn more about Sweden and to attend the Nobel Prize ceremonies.
Three students from Thailand whose collaborative effort won for top team project will be awarded a trip to attend the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Valencia, Spain, in September 2007. Natnaree Siriwon, 17, Korawich Niyomsatian, 18, and Nathaphon Supokaivanich, 18, are all from Trium Udom Suksa School in Bangkok, Thailand. They were recognized for their project, “The Secret in Mimosa's Leaf Folding Pattern.”
Another top team project won a trip to the Expo Science International ESI 2007 to be held in Durban South Africa in July for New Yorkers Jacob Charles Loewenstein, 17, of Cedarhurstand Brienne Ashley Kugler, 18, of Jericho.
There are 17 “category prizes,” which reward students with first to fourth places for projects in areas ranging from medicine to mechanical engineering, and South African students won first-place awards in three of those categories. Raeez Lorgat, 16, from Cape Town, South Africa, won the computer science category for his project, “Computer Aided Instruction in the Modern Classroom.” Siyabulela Lethuxolo Xuza, 18, from Johannesburg, South Africa, won the energy and transportation category for his project, “African Space: Fuelling Africa's Quest to Space.” Tanja Kellerman, 18, from Citrusdal, South Africa, won the plant sciences category for her project, “Aloe - A Bitter Pill for Ticks to Swallow.”
Six students from the Middle East won prizes – Ahmed Khalid AlNuaimi, 16, from Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Layan Mazen Kazem Kutob, 17, from Amman, Jordan; Hagai Helman, 18, from Jerusalem, Israel; and Deena Wafic Kaddoura, 17, Zahra Maarouf Moein Maarouf, 16, and Sana Abdul Halim Zeidan, 16, all from Saida, Lebanon.
Four students from Latin America won prizes – Pedro Francisco Vignolo, 18, from Paysandu, Uruguay; Adolfo Luis Soraire, 18, from Tucuman, Brazil; Scott Miguel Munguia, 17, from Guadalajara, Mexico; and Karen Isabel Yada, 18, from Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Eight Canadian students won prizes for projects on subjects ranging from solar roofing tiles to billiards.
A number of Chinese students won awards, including several team awards. Their projects involved such subjects as radio control of unmanned helicopters, the arithmetic rules of regular polygons, a new gasoline detergent, and an alarm system to prevent drownings in swimming pools.
For a full list of the winners, see the Web site of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
