Intels Takes Nigerian Students to Science and Engineering Fair in US

Intel Corporation, renowned chip makers has sponsored nine Nigerian secondary school students to represent Nigeria with their urine-powered generator which at the 2013 international leg of the Intel Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

In the National leg of the competition, secondary schools from around the 36 states of the federation showcased their projects and inventions with the goal of addressing the challenges in their local communities.

According to the organizers, the annual event has been instrumental in encouraging secondary school students to develop an enquiry-based, practical approach to the Science and Engineering learning process.

Speaking on the need to drive and encourage innovation among youth, Osagie Ogunbor, corporate affairs manager, Intel Corporation, explained that Intel is passionate about encouraging the interest in Science and Technology and believes in the future of the youth in this regard.

“Intel has sponsored the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair since 1997 because Intel believes that fostering a passion for math and science in today’s youth is imperative for the global economy and the future of innovation.”

Giving further details on the workings of the competition, Ogunbor reiterated that the selection process was well informed and being carried out by seasoned professors in the Science and Engineering fields.

“At the competition, finalists are judged by hundreds of science, engineering and industry professionals who have a Ph.D. or equivalent (6 years of related professional experience) in one of the scientific disciplines; Animal Sciences, behavioral and Social Sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, Computer Science, Cellular and Molecular biology and others.

“Finalists’ projects tackle challenging scientific questions that address some of today’s most pressing global issues. Projects represent a wide range of scientific disciplines and are judged based various categories.” Ogunbor added.

He also mentioned that the top research project in the competition will receive the Gordon E. Moore Award – a US$75,000 grand prize from the Intel Foundation, given in honor of the Intel co-founder and fellow scientist.

Two additional research projects will receive Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards of $50,000.

Additional prizes, funded by the Intel Foundation with support from dozens of corporate, academic, government and science-focused sponsors, will be awarded to more than 600 other projects.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the world’s largest high school science research competition.

Through a global network of local, regional and national science fairs, millions of students around the world are encouraged to explore their curiosity of how the world works and develop solutions for global challenges. Each May, a group of these students is selected as finalists and offered the opportunity to compete for more than $4 million in awards and scholarships.