Hamza Sheikh, a Pakistani boy, made the country appear in the list of 33 prize winning countries at the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held at Indianapolis, USA
By N. Lakhani
Fifteen years old Hamza Sheikh of Head Start School, Rawalpindi did his country proud by winning the second prize in the category of ‘Chemistry’ in the world’s largest event for high school science students. The award, accompanied with $1,500 in prize money, was given to him at a grand ceremony held at the culmination of the five-day Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) on May 12 at Indianapolis, a city of two millions in the US state of Indiana.
The award came his way when he displayed his project on the ‘Effectiveness of Pea Flower as an Effective Bio-insecticide’. Judges (all PhDs in Chemistry) were impressed by his work, which was based on an experiment that covered an important environmental issue, which is the use of chemical pesticides. He has proved that the flour made of pea is effective against Red Flour Beetle in flour and weevil in rice.
“It’s cost effective, easily available and adds nutritional value to food, not to speak of the safety factor,” said Sheikh while adding, “chemical pesticides have caused detrimental effects to our surroundings.”
Hamza Sheikh also won a certificate of recognition at the fair from one of the special prize winning bodies - Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, which also entitles him to a student membership of the prestigious body. Hamza Sheikh is not only deeply interested in chemistry but also into sports and fine arts.
Hamza Sheikh came to Indiana along with three other Pakistani students. The team project of Asif Jafferani, Asif Surani and Shehzad Khoja of the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi drew the relationship between the dietary intake of fatty acids and the onset of asthma. They experimented on chickens before they came to the conclusion. Their project also attracted a lot of attention and the very fact that they were among 1482 students who came from 46 US states and 47 countries to compete in 14 disciplines of Mathematics, Science and Technology was in itself an enriching experience.
We should be thankful to Hamza Sheikh as due to his efforts and intelligence Pakistan appears in the list of 33 prize-winning countries at the prestigious fair. The ISEF has been coordinated for 57 years by Science Service, one of the most respected non-profit organisations advancing the cause of science. In its tenth year as title sponsor, Intel Corporation and the Intel Foundation together commit more than $3 million annually to develop and promote the competition. In addition, each year a volunteer committee representing the host city raises funds to sponsor events throughout the fair.
A boy of Pakistani parents Hermain Sohail Khan, 16, and a girl of Bangladeshi parents Mayun Mazhar, 17, also got special awards ($250) in recognition of their projects in the field of Geology from the American Geological Institute.
Intel ISEF is a part of the Intel Education initiative, a collaboration with educators around the world to improve the quality of Science and Mathematics education and to help young students develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy.
Arriving from 47 countries, regions and territories across the globe, nearly 1,500 young scientists and inventors competed for $4 million in scholarships and awards at the Intel ISEF presented by Agilent Technologies.
They come with projects that could ultimately solve some of science’s most vexing problems, among them developing effective alternative energy sources, finding treatments for autism and other learning disabilities, reducing contaminants in the water supply, and reducing electronic waste. In all, more than 1,200 projects were displayed as students meet with senior scientists, exchange ideas and present their findings.
“More than a science competition, the Intel ISEF in an investment in next generation of scientists,” said Brenda Musilli, Intel Corporation director of education. “Over the past decade, our investment in this world class programme has helped to increase the number of participants by 36 percent, and doubled the number of countries represented. The scientific projects tackled by students have grown increasingly sophisticated,” added Brenda.
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
Thats awesome! Headstart was founded by my physics instructor in Olevels, who was formerly a nuclear scientist...
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
well done.. congratulations to all Pakistanis. were one very smart race!!!!
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
:)
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF’s second prize in US
thats good news.
well done kid :k:
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
Congratulations to the kid.
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
^But hey, when did they open headstart in Rawalpindi. I know about the Islamabad one only.
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
*claps!
Mashallah thats awesome :~)
Re: Pakistani boy wins ISEF's second prize in US
Yeah, I remember headstart being in Isloo too, but I wouldnt be surprised if they opened up a branch in Pindi later...