Senior River Grace won big at the recent International Science and Engineering Fair held in Phoenix. Grace took home the “Best-of- Category” award for $5,000. He also earned $1,000 for the West Shore’s research program and $1,000 for Mainland Science Fair. In addition, he also was awarded first place and $2,000 along with a European Union Science trip to a fair in Brussels.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition.

Approximately 1,700 high school students from more 75 countries, regions, and territories are awarded the opportunity to showcase their independent research and compete for approximately $4 million in prizes.

“We have three students competing in ISEF in Phoenix,” Science Research teacher Paula Ladd said, “There are over 1,700 students from 75 countries in the science fair, so the competition is tough to say at the least.”

Junior Muhammad Abdulla walked away with third place and $1,000, as well as a special award for $500.

“My research was essentially trying to find a more accurate way of analyzing medical data through probability theory,” Abdulla said.  “The fair was overall a really cool experience. We got to party with Brazilian people and that was fun because they are so hype. Plus, Brazilian girls know how to dance.”

By Ahjaney Friar