The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is no more. ISEF is now known as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Fig. 1). Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the named sponsor for ISEF, had earlier picked up the mantel of the Science Talent Search (STS), which was also an Intel-sponsored competition. Intel supported these competitions for over 20 years.
The Society for Science and the Public (SSP) runs these competitions as well as the Broadcom Masters competition for middle-school students. ISEF is for students in grade nine through twelve.
I will be taking the winners of the 2020 Mercer Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF) competition to Anaheim, Calif. the week of May 10th for the 2020 Regeneron ISEF competition. It’s one of hundreds of regional competitions that feed into ISEF. The 2019 competition was host to over 1800 students.
The top winner in 2019 was Krithik Ramesh of Greenwood Village, Colo. (Fig. 2). He received the Gordon E. Moore Award for his project that encompassed augmented reality, machine learning, and computer vision to help orthopedic surgeons achieve greater accuracy for screw placement during spinal surgery.
If you’re looking for top talent in science and engineering, then ISEF is the place to start. Many of these student projects are on par with those done by graduate students at top universities. Some may be using duct tape, baling wire, and 3D image sensors to implement prototypes of augmented-reality applications, but they get the job done. This also highlights the determination and creativity possessed by these students.
It was great news when Regeneron took over the top spot for ISEF, but it’s just one of many sponsors. Challenges remain at the local and regional level, though. It’s important to get everyone involved—not just for sponsorship, but with support for students, judging, and so on. We continue to find it difficult to round up a sufficient number of judges for MSEF. Even getting students to participate in the fair isn’t an easy chore, as many schools don’t even let them know about local competitions.
I’m always encouraging scientists and engineers to become involved in their local fairs. Judging takes very little time and is very rewarding to students and judges. It’s surprising how many espouse STEM education but don’t have a day to help out. We’re lucky to have an active team that tries to increase participation of students, judges, and sponsors. Still, we can use help from the technology and educational arenas as well.
Finding local competitions isn’t hard, and for ISEF-affiliated fairs, it’s as easy as checking the list of fairs on the SSP website. A host of other competitions can use your help, too, such as the FIRST Robotics competition, the Vex Robotics competition, and the Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS).
STEM education is important and schools are highlighting it, but getting involved with competitions will give students an opportunity to highlight their work.
