Young Filipino scientists to compete in Intel's international science fair

MANILA, Philippines - Seven students from high schools across the country have been selected as official Philippine delegates to the world’s biggest pre-college science research competition.

This year’s candidates for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) produced the top entries at the recently concluded 13th Intel Philippine Science Fair (IPSF), held at the University of the Philippines Diliman last February.

Intel ISEF 2010 will be held on May 9-14 in San Jose, California.

The delegates were selected from an original field of thousands of students from secondary schools from all parts of the country who participated in the IPSF.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Jennifer Doromal, whose individual research on decomposing used diapers for use as an alternative organic fertilizer was selected for presentation at the Intel ISEF. Doromal recently graduated from the La Filipina National High School in Davao City.

The competition, which has been administered by the Society for Science & the Public (SSP) since its inception in 1950, brings together students, teachers, corporate executives, and government officials from around the world in competition for over $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment, and scientific trips.

Intel’s sponsorship of the ISEF is part of the company’s work in advancing science education in the country and around the world. Education is a key component of Intel’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort.

 “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to show my work at the Intel ISEF,” said Hanna Escobido, a recent graduate from the Caraga State University High School whose group research on using corn cob ash as a temperature sensor was also selected to join the Philippine contingent.

Rounding out the Philippine delegation to the Intel ISEF are Marc Mapalo, Maria Clara Isable Sia, and Jean Reni De Guzman of the Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas, who will be representing the country in the Life Sciences category; and Hanna Escobido and Brayl Ymbol of the Caraga State University High School, who will be taking part in the Physical Sciences competition. Individual delegates are Marc Limpiado, also from the Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus, and Jennifer Doromal from the La Filipina National High School in Davao.

“We applaud the work of the very talented young scientists who will be attending the ISEF,” said Bureau of Secondary Education Director Lolita Andrada. “The country is teeming with brilliant young minds. I thank Intel for helping bring out the best in our students.”

Intel officials said that helping train future innovators was all part of the company’s noted approach to CSR. “Intel believes that young people are the key to solving global challenges….,” said Cecilia Ubarra, Intel Philippines’ education manager.

The Philippines has been successful at the Intel ISEF garnering more than 16 Grand Awards and 10 Special Awards since 1998. In 2009, two students from the Philippine Science High School were awarded a fourth place prize for their work on the cancer-inhibiting properties of bacteria found on a certain species of seaweed.