The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), sponsored by Intel since 1997, is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. More than 1,800 high school students from about 70 countries showcase their independent research as they compete for over US $5 million annually in this competition. Intel’s sponsorship of the ISEF is part of the Intel(r) Education Initiative, which is focused on collaborating with educators and governments around the world to improve the quality of science and mathematics education and to help students develop the higher order thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy.
This year, 254 young scientists showcased over 100 projects from all across Pakistan at the National Science Fair held in Lahore at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology. These projects were assessed by a panel of renowned judges with winners selected to represent Pakistan at Intel ISEF 2016 to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, in May this year. Mr. Qaisar Abbas, Director COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, was the chief guest.
In the group category, the award winners selected were Ahmed Bin Abdur Rahman and Muhammad Hashim Khan of Division Public School, Lahore, for their project ‘Solar Powered Hydrogen Vehicle’, and Minahil Mustafa, Sameen Mehdi and
Abdullah Khan from Beaconhouse School System, also from Lahore for their project ‘Neodymium Wind Turbine’.
Winners of individual projects are: Shahmir Khan Niazi Beaconhouse School System, Lahore, for ‘A New Spin on Renewable Energy’; Khasheaa Nadeem of Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi, for ‘Mask that Filters Air Pollutants’;
Sarmad Saeed Nasir of Engro Grammar School, Ghotki, for ‘The Effect of Milkaumentar on Production of Milk in Cattle.
“The number of students who have qualified for the National Science Fair and the ones who’ve further secured a position in the International Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona, are proof that Pakistan has incredible talent. One of the core outcomes of education is to produce productive citizens and role models for tomorrow, which we can only achieve by enabling students in becoming acquainted with and excelling in technology,” said Naveed Siraj, Country Manager, Intel Pakistan. “I wish the best of luck to the students who have participated in the Science Fairs at all the qualifying levels”.
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Appreciating poetry
Recitation is about conveying a poem’s sense, and requires the renderer to comprehend the meaning of the poem in order to convey the verses in a dramatic and effective style, which is no mean feat. Conveying through expressions and voice modulation requires a lot of confidence, practice and preparation - something that is quite out of ordinary in today’s time. Therefore, attending the annual elocution contest of The Mama Parsi Girls School, Karachi, was a beautiful experience. About nine young students from classes VIII through X participated, mesmerizing the audience with their brilliant recitation of poetry. The young students impressed the judges, who were from three leading schools of Karachi - Karachi Grammar School, BVS Parsi School, and St Michael’s School - with the ease and comfort with which they enthralled the audience. In fact, they were so good that the judges had a tough time picking out the winners. Way to go, Mama School, keep your noble traditions alive for the rest to follow!
