Three students who won the Sri Lanka Science & Engineering Fair (SLSEF) 2007 participated at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2008 in Atlanta for the very first time. The first finalist Yasith Lokuge and the second finalist Praveej Jayasinghe competed at the event while Sajeewa Hendurugoda participated as an observer. Eng. Sarath Samarasiri, the Director, Design Centre of University of Moratuwa and a member of IESL who went as the adult in charge performed a very admirable role by guiding and looking after the children right throughout the journey.

This year all three children were selected from the Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition of Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) which has been conducting this for the past 23 years in the country.

This was an unbelievable experience to the kids and the officials from Sri Lanka and the reception given to them by Intel ISEF was magnanimous. They thoroughly enjoyed the competition and both their projects were considered for President’s Scholarship Award of IEEE Foundation. Even though they did not win any prizes this time, the officials are quite confident that they can do so in the near future with the learning they gained at this year’s competition.

In parallel to the competition, Intel ISEF Educator Academy 2008 was held in Atlanta, which brought together a select group of educators and government officials from Intel sites around the world to explore proven, innovative methods of engaging students in the study of science and math. At this forum Sri Lanka was represented by Mr. Anura Dissanayake, Director, Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP) of Ministry of Education, Professor M. T. M. Jiffry, Chairperson, Advisory Committee of National Science Foundation (NSF), Eng. J. Meegoda, Chairperson, Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition of Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) and Mr. Priyantha Weerabahu, Intel Education Program Manager for Sri Lanka.

During the five-day forum, outstanding educators presented workshops on student research, project-based learning and other proven ways to engage students in the study of science and mathematics including Nobel laureate Dr. Rich Roberts. Also, experienced science fair organizers shared resources and provided participants with valuable information about managing, organizing, and preparing students for science fairs.

“The Intel ISEF 2008 was for the first time represented by three students from Sri Lanka. As a person who has been involved for a considerable period on conducting similar activities through the National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka, I found the experience we have gained as organizers as well as prospective participants at the Intel ISEF held in Atlanta, Georgia were immense and gave us opportunities to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our competitors. The organizers were also very friendly and provided all the opportunities for the participants to interact with other stakeholders and participants.” Prof. M. T. M. Jiffry.

Sri Lankan team was elated by the fact that one of the three USD 50,000 Scholarship Grand Prize winners at Intel ISEF 2008 was a Sri Lankan student Natalie Saranga Omattage of Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, Mississippi. Therefore, the Sri Lankan team is determined to improve local competitions to compete at a higher level in the years to come.

From next year Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition of Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) and Science Research Projects Competition (SRPC) of National Science Foundation (NSF) will be the feeder fairs for Sri Lanka Science & Engineering Fair (SLSEF).