Musical torch, Anti-skin cancer lotion and Bracelet aid for blind people were just some of the projects that were presented by incredibly talented students at the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2017, which was held in Los Angeles, California. ISEF before booking their seat for the USA, selection took place in Pakistan through the Intel National Science Fair in which students from 56 indigenous educational institutions participated showcasing 96 projects by 196 young scientists. Winners of National Science Fair were selected for ISEF to showcase their independent research and compete for more than $4 million in prize and scholarships.
For the past decade, Pakistani students have made their mark and attained numerous distinctions at the Intel ISEF. This year 10 local students made it to the ISEF with advanced concepts in a wide range of fields. Intel ISEF not only provides students a platform to display their ideas in front of a global audience but also exposes them to different cultures and allows them the chance to interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Ahmad Hassan, Liaqat Ali and Naeem Hassan from Punjab Daanish School decided to tackle a problem faced by most mobile users: fast drainage of a battery. The students converted the caller’s sound energy into electric energy for recharging mobiles. This project was called “Call and Charge the Mobile”, simply a device that recharges the phone’s battery during a phone call.
Arqam Ali Khan, Grade 11, Islamabad Model College for Boys made a single environmentally friendly electrochemical sensor. His goal was to minimize the cost by replacing the noble metals with cheaper metals and complicated technology with simpler technology.
Haseeb Ahmed Khawaja, Grade 12, Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi created a project called A Roar for Energy (Musical Torch). Based on the piezoelectric effect, he amplified small range voltages into mild range voltages to charge up a secondary cell by inducing vibrations from any oscillating sources (wind from the fan, sound of music, etc.) through operational transistors.
Organic plastics created from seaweed Hassan Rizwan from grade 11, along with Mansoor after seeing a growing demand for organic products. Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges utilized the variety of seaweeds and algae found along the coast of Pakistan and manifested the production of organic plastic from seaweed which serves as a good feedstock for production of plastic.
Mujtaba Sajjad Kamani, Aga Khan Higher Secondary School student from Karachi created a Bracelet aid for blind people them to locate their particular addresses easily, and thus benefit blind. Shahzaib Ejaz a grade 12 student at the Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges, Lahore, created an eco- friendly design and fabrication of a Solar Water Pumping System if implemented on a larger scale it can prove to be a productive and eco-friendly solution.
Sadia Qadir Hasilput, Bahawalpur, claimed to develop the first Anti-Cancer Skin Lotion. She hopes to be able to become a scientist someday and work for the betterment of Pakistan.
Young Pakistani innovators were truly remarkable; our young scientists should be encouraged to by their respective schools as well as the ministry of education. The solutions they have provided can be the answer to many of the problems faced by Pakistan today and can be beneficial for the growth of our country. Way to head for making Pakistan proud.