A Fayetteville-Manlius High School student takes home the top prize in the world's largest international pre-college science competition.
Kunal Sangani, an FM junior, and his partner, Mishka Gadwani, of Illinois, were awarded First Place in the Environmental Management Category at the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
They were among more than 1,500 students competing in 14 categories. Along with bragging rights, Sangani and Gadwani each take home $3,000.
Their project was entitled: The Effect of Ocean Acidification and Oil Spills on Emiliania huxleyi Transparent Exopolymer Particles.
"ISEF was an amazing experience. It was incredible to see how much programs and companies do to support high school research," Sangani said. "To be recognized as one of forty or so first place winners and to stand on stage with some of the brightest high schoolers from around the world was just beyond compare. I want to thank the MOST and our regional science fair, GSSSF, for giving me this opportunity."
The Intel ISEF is the premiere science competition in the world exclusively for students in grades 9-12. It has grown from the National Science Fair, which was created by Society for Science & the Public (then known as Science Service) in 1950. In 1958, the fair became international for the first time when Japan, Canada, and Germany joined the competition.
Sangani was eligible to compete at the Intel ISEF after winning first place at the 32nd annual Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair (GSSSF) in March. The prize was an all expense paid trip to the Intel ISEF accompanied by Peter Plumley, GSSSF Director.
"I was in tears after hearing the announcement," Plumley said. "A first place winner from Central New York on the world's stage at the International Science and Engineering Fair is huge! For Kunal Sangani and his teammate Mishka Gidwani to produce and present publishable work is remarkable - and rewarding."
The Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair showcases science projects from participants in 5th through 12th grades. Participants in the fair compete for over 30 prizes including tuition scholarships, cash prizes and the chance to advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held each May. The Greater Syracuse Scholastic Fair is organized by the MOST and sponsored locally by Lockheed Martin. Other sponsors include Time Warner Cable, HSBC Bank, TACNY, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Syracuse Research Corporation.
