ALBUQUERQUE, 15 May 2007 -- Thousands of students, teachers and volunteers along with science and engineering professionals from across the United States and around the world are gathering this week in the capital city of New Mexico for the 58th International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) -- the only international science competition for high school students.
For the first time, a team from Saudi Arabia is taking part, with students -- boys and girls -- from Riyadh, Dhahran and Dammam presenting projects in a variety of fields including behavioral and social sciences, physics, energy and transportation, energy management and environmental science.
The students' visit is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for the Gifted, with sponsorship from several Saudi businesses. Two Saudi Aramco employees who also donate their time to the Alkhobar-based science education Talents Center are accompanying the students as well as a Dhahran mother to serve as adult chaperons and guides for the young people.
The Saudi Arabian Embassy's Houston Consulate also is assisting the visiting delegation. In addition, several Saudi science students from Jeddah, Taif and Riyadh are attending as goodwill ambassadors to meet and exchange ideas with students from 50 other countries taking part.
The Saudi students, three boys presenting individual research projects and six girls working in two teams, are among more than 1,500 finalists. A fourth Saudi boy finalist had to drop out of the competition because of a missing passport. More than 1,200 experts with doctoral-level degrees, including several Nobel laureates, are serving as judges for the competition.
In addition to the accolades and recognition, students competing have a chance to win a variety of scholarships and internships through the ISEF totaling more than $3 million, with event sponsor Intel providing more than $700,000, including three Young Scientist Awards, each of which carries a $50,000 college scholarship.
The Albuquerque Convention Center hosted a hubbub of activity on Sunday as students prepared their project booths. Hundreds of volunteers assisted students in complying with contest rules and provided tools and materials.
Dozens of buses shuttled participants between the center and hotels around the city.
After a busy day of setup, students got a chance to attend a special performance of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony and meet with other students to exchange mementoes from their respective countries.
By Stephen L. Brundage
© Arab News 2007
