LOS ANGELES: Two teams from two Penang schools jointly won third place for their science projects in the Physical Science category of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2017 held in the United States today.
The first team, Zhan Yi Chng and Xian Jing Koa, both 17, from SMJK Chung Ling, Penang, won the award for their project on caffeine as an effective and eco-friendly termiticide (termite repellent).
The second team, Norman Sim and Raul Vimal Kumar, both 16, from Penang Free School, also received the third prize for their innovation named SALT, a saponin anti-larvae treatment made from natural substances which functions in a similar way to other chemical-based larvicides – but without polluting the environment.
Both teams will take home US$1,000 cash award for each of their projects.
The fair, held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre, opened on May 14 and ran for five days.
Penang State Education Department Assistant Director Shamsir Jemain, who is here accompanying the students, said: “We are definitely proud of these boys from both Penang schools with their win today, after competing among the best minds from all over the world.
“We hope this will motivate more students to work and propose more innovative ideas for science projects to compete at international fairs,” he said.
A total of 1,778 finalists from 78 countries outside the United States participated in the Intel ISEF this year.
The finalists were selected from 425 affiliated fairs around the world and judged by hundreds of science, engineering and industry professionals in 22 scientific disciplines.
Finalists’ projects tackled topics ranging from virtual reality to sustainable energy to machine learning.
The first place winner this year was Ivo Zell, 18, of Lorch, Germany, who won the US$75,000 Gordon E. Moore Award for designing and constructing a remote-control prototype of a new “flying wing” aircraft which has potential applications that range from drone delivery systems to larger aircraft design.
Intel Malaysia has been sponsoring local student participation in this, the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, since 1999.
Besides the winners, nine other students made it as finalists representing Malaysia at Intel ISEF this year.
In the Individual category, the students are Munirah Suhada Mahdzir from SMK Buloh Kasap, Johor; Farhah Nabilah Rosli from MRSM Batu Pahat; Isaac Chung De Wei and Joel Jong Lee Zher, both from SMK Batu Lintang, Sarawak.
The two other teams are Kai Bo Lee, Felix D’ Marvin and Muhammad Akram Ahmad from SMK Ibrahim, Sungai Petani; and Zaiyani Bahari and Farah Nurshahira Mohd Solehin from MRSM Kubang Pasu.