>> Vietnamese students compete at international science fair

Two Vietnamese American students won one more prize at the Intel Science Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the US.

Vu Mai Anh (L) and Nguyen Quoc Bao (R)

ISEF 2011 heightens friendship

On May 12, Vu Mai Anh and Nguyen Quoc Bao were presented with two special prizes under the category of Special Awards of the fair: one given by the United State Army, and the other by the American Chemical Society.

On May 13, the students won again. This time it was the first prize for chemistry worth USD3,000 under the Grand Awards category.

A grand prize was given in each of the 17 areas, which included animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, among others.

Great achievements of Asia

ISEF this year saw great achievements come from Asia, and Southeast Asia was no exception. A large number of awards were given to candidates from China, South Korea, India and particularly Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The Thai group won Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award worth USD50,000. This is the first time Southeast Asian students have won this prize.

The team from South Korea received the special prize for environmental science and a Chinese student was awarded the same in computer science.

Their research into mucilage on fish scales for packing production won the Thai students won a special prize for environmental management.

In chemistry area, Raghavendra Ramachanderan from India won the special award.

The Gordon E. Moore Award, worth USD75,000, is the highest of the contest. Matthew Feddersen and Blake Marggraff of California took this prize home this year, for research into cancer treatment that would lower cost and be more effective.

Elizabeth Marincola, President of President of Society for Science & the Public, the ISEF organiser, said all students here are winners for their ambition and love of the sciences.

Wendy Hawkins, Director of Intel Foundation which manages educational and social activities of Intel Group, said , while addressing the contestants that education is key to bringing new talent to Intel. She added that “I see great potential in all of you. You are the people who will be the future Nobel winners and chairmen of the board.”

Hawkins noted that, "In many countries in the world, the abilities high-school students are poorly assessed. I believe that often their ability is much higher than what is required by normal school work and testing.”