Students From Around the World Prepare for the Week of a Lifetime As the clock ticked toward the opening ceremony for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held this May in Cleveland, more than 1,200 student researchers from around the world were making last-minute improvements to their projects and preparing to field whatever questions the judges might ask. Hyeyoun Chung, who attends St. Paul's Girls School in London, was looking forward to the chance to explain her project. "Game Theory in Action" involves mathematics, computer programming, and a popular board game called Nim. She was just as eager "to see what everybody else has been working on. It's a great opportunity for people who like science and mathematics." The chance to solve real-life problems is what keeps many students motivated while working for months on challenging projects. An Intel ISEF competitor from India, Maithili Prafulla Dalvi has investigated the success of using coconut extract to stop excessive hemorrhage in females, caused by abnormal production of hormones in the ovaries. The coconut flower extract has the potential to reduce the need for surgery in such patients. Also from India, students Rao Samhita Anand and Thatte Nikhil Mukund have teamed up to develop a biochemistry project that explores the properties of common food-producing plants in the aggregation of blood platelets. Platelets play a role in conditions including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and migraine headaches. From Massachusetts, U.S. competitor Syam Mohan has used genetic engineering to produce a protein that may have applications as an inhibitor of the HIV-1 virus, which causes AIDS. As Mohan explained, "By preventing its enzymes from doing their crucial jobs for the HIV-1 virus, it should be possible to effectively inhibit the virus's lifecycle." The trip to Cleveland was the first visit to the U.S. for many students, including two students from the Philippines. Roy Vincent Conseco developed a system to facilitate the secure transfer of information between a central computer server and a remote cellular phone user. "SMS Link-Interactive: Secured Data Transmission and Modification through SMS" would allow, for example, doctors to monitor or change patients' medical treatments or modify dosages from a remote location, using a cell phone. Eigen Israel M. Rara has researched the properties of a potentially life-saving plant extract. "Wonder Drug: A Broad Spectrum Bioactive Substance" analyzes the medicinal properties of the Sibukau tree, native to the Philippines. Persistence is another quality found in abundance among the Intel ISEF competitors. Juan Manual Arechaga from Argentina has spent the past year modifying and redesigning a wire tension testing machine he has been developing since 2001. The model he entered in this year's competition has been through improvements to optimize the quality of mechanics, electronics, and programming. He tested his machine against internationally calibrated versions and concluded he had created a better-functioning machine for the same size and cost of those on the market. By the time these young researchers reached the closing ceremonies of the Intel ISEF 2003, they discovered what competitors learn every year: Everybody wins at this international event. "It was the best week of my life," reminisced Ciaran McNamee, who represented Ireland in the competition last year. For results from Intel ISEF 2003, and to read more about students and their projects, visit the Intel® Innovation in Education Web site, www.intel.com/education/isef.
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