Scholarships Awarded

DETROIT, MI-The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) gave $2 million in scholarships and awards for scientific achievements to high school students from around the world. The 1,223 students, ages 13 to 20, presented projects that were judged on creative ability, scientific thought, skill, and clarity. There were three recipients of the top Intel ISEF prize, a $40,000 Intel Young Scientist Scholarship: Jason L. Douglas, 18, from Cincinnati Country Day School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Nazanin Jouei, 18, from Ely High School (Pompano Beach, Fla); and Karen Kay Powell, 16, from Lincoln Park Academy (Fort Pierce, Fla). Douglas presented a physics project titled, "Discrete Electron Density Theory Finite Tensor Solutions to Schrodinger's Equation," which developed a theory mathematically explaining the energy in atoms. Jouei's project, "Mechanisms of the Photoisomerization of Conjugated Dienes as a Model for the Primary Visual Event," dealt with the chemistry of sight and led her to find a chemical change that may help better explain vision. Her project also garnered her a trip to the Nobel Prize Ceremony in Sweden in December 2000 plus a $5,000 award for earning the highest ratings in her project category. Powell studied chemicals, genes, and behavior. Through her project, "A Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) for Fat," she discovered that chemical PNA can be used to regulate genes and modify appetite.

Schools and fair directors whose students and finalists win the Intel Young Scientist Scholarship, Best of Category, and First Place category awards also receive monetary awards of $1,000. The school awards support science and math education programs, and the fair director awards support the regional administration of the Intel ISEF. Intel also offers Excellence in Teaching Awards based on peer nominations. Marcus Friskop, a teacher from Hankinson Public School (Hankinson, ND), won the top award of $5,000.

For the past 51 years, the Intel ISEF has been coordinated by Science Service, a non-profit organization that uses various publications and educational programs to advance the appreciation and understanding of science among people of all ages. Intel's sponsorship of ISEF is part of its Innovation in Education initiative whose goal is to help prepare teachers and students for the future. Intel supports programs that improve science, math, engineering, and technology education; encourages the use of technology in classrooms; and broadens access to technology and technical careers.