More than 1,400 of the world’s brightest young minds gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, in May for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). Winning projects may someday improve life for the blind, expand our understanding of Mars, and unleash new pharmacology research by miniaturizing procedures to synthesize and analyze compounds.

Each of the three Intel Foundation Youth Scientist Award winners received a $50,000 scholarship. Ameen Abdulrasool, 18, a senior from Lane Technical High School in Chicago, Illinois, developed a small, self-contained, portable navigation system to help the visually impaired travel without the need of a guide. Stephen Schulz, 19, a senior from Gesamtschule Buer-Mitte in Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, developed new electrochemical methods to analyze compounds that can protect against cancer and other diseases. Gabrielle Gianelli, 17, a junior from Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Florida, used fractals and statistics to prove that there were once oceans on Mars.

Although Intel ISEF awards $3 million in scholarships, benefits extend to all participants. Finalists get a chance to share ideas and their passion for science with other student researchers from around the world. In addition, students get the chance to learn from leading scientists and technologists. At this year’s event, astronaut Sally Ride predicted that one of the students attending Intel ISEF could someday be the first human to set foot on Mars. In a special panel presentation, nine Nobel Laureates and other esteemed scientists and technologists spent two hours answering students’ questions.

For more highlights about Intel ISEF 2005, including examples of student projects and an online photo album, visit the Intel® Innovation in Education Web site. Learn more.