About two weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about how pumped I was for my second round at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, which is a program of the Society for Science & the Public. Currently I am still suffering from a very painful syndrome known as Intel International Science and Engineering Fair withdrawal. Before departing for the trip, I had very high expectations, as I thought that the week in L.A. would be one of the best experiences of my life. Now, I have absolutely no qualms when I openly assert that the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2011 was indeed the best experience of my life.

I still remember the very moment I stepped into the glistening streets of L.A. Live. The experience was surreal as the sidewalks literally sparkled and the flashing colorful lights shone on me. Everywhere I looked I saw Intel International Science and Engineering Fair banners and advertisements. The city had literally transformed for the event. I could not wait to meet my fellow finalists. Without thinking, I made a beeline for the J.W. Marriot lobby and started frantically trading my New York pins with young scientists from all over the world. We didn’t need translators – our enthusiasm was enough. I retired for the day at the local ESPN Zone with a few friends and we pondered how high the average IQ of L.A. is during Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

The next two days went by very quickly. It is indeed true that time flies when you are having fun. During those days, I set up my poster, practiced my presentation, made some great friends, toured Hollywood and sat through the epic opening ceremony that kicked the week’s events off with a bang! I still remember the ineffable joy I attained while watching the opening acts and hearing the inspirational words from Society for the Science & the Public president, Elizabeth Marincolak, and DreamWorks CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. After the ceremony was over, I spoke to Dr. Martin Chalife who had recently won the Nobel Prize as a pioneer in the discovery and applications of a green florescent protein. I had recently attended his talk at a conference that he had given for those enrolled in the Columbia Science Honors Program. It was amazing to meet him at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

However, the people who influenced me the most at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair were my fellow finalists. Every student, although highly intelligent, was extremely friendly, and has a genuine passion for science. To say the least, we were humbled by one another. My very roommate at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, Tyler St. Denis, had authored several different papers in the field of photodynamic therapy and is currently in the process of publishing several chapters he has written about the subject. Each exhibit I saw was essentially a story about a kid who was once inspired and turned his or her inspiration into novel progress in the field of science.

Judging day, for me, was the most memorable. After a terrific night at the dance party sponsored by Nokia, the competition was essentially getting down to business. This was the day where each one of us took what we knew and shared it with the world. Although winning is a nice feeling, what made me the happiest was that no finalist was overly concerned about the results, but instead just wanted to make the best out of the experience. After a solid eight hours of judging, although my brain was fried, I enjoyed sharing my work with leading scientists, and I even learned about various different venues I could take to expand my project.

To reward us for our hard work, the Intel Foundation had rented out Universal Studios. For one night, we finalists had the whole amusement park to ourselves free of charge. Since the rides had no lines, I eagerly jumped onto the thrilling world famous studio tour, the Jurassic Park ride, The Mummy, The Simpsons, Shrek 4D and plenty more. I could not have asked for a cooler night.

The week ended with two award ceremonies. It was great to see motivated students from all over the world take the international stage to receive the recognition they deserved for their painstaking, meticulous work. The other finalists from Westchester and I waved our flags with a state of glee as our peers won awards. Winners at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair didn’t display pomposity, but rather only humility. As to how I did, I placed 3^rd in Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering ($1000.00) and won 1^st Place in the National Antivivisection Society Award ($5000.00). I also won the European Organization for Nuclear Research-CERN Award including a trip to CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.

My feat at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair was definitely a highlight, but my experience there is a memory I will always treasure. I would like to wholeheartedly thank my mentor, Dr. Avi Ma’ayan, my adult sponsor, Mr. Mark Langella, my enthusiastic fair director, Mr. Michael Blueglass, and the best parents in the world, Mythily Krishnan and Krishnan Sugavanam.

Last Wednesday, CNN interviewed Blake Marggraff and Matthew Feddersen, the grand prize winners of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of the Society for Science & the Public. In the segment, Blake and Matthew discussed their project and their personal connections to their research, as well as the other interesting projects and finalists they came across at the competition. Way to go, guys!

Check out this video! CBS Evening News aired a segment Sunday that showcases finalists and their projects at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of the Society for Science & the Public. The video also highlights the importance of science competitions such as the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and the lack of emphasis on science education in America’s classrooms. In the words of Intel’s Wendy Hawkins, “This is our future.”

The winners of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2011, a program of the Society for Science & the Public, have been announced! Huge congratulations to the following students for being selected among more than 1,500 competitors! And, thank you to all of the wonderful finalists who were selected to participate this year! Your hard work, unparalleled dedication and remarkable research are what make this competition what it is – the largest high school science fair in the world and one of the most prestigious collections of student research today.

$75,000 Gordon Moore Award Winners:

Matthew Feddersen and Blake Marggraff of Lafayette, California were awarded for their exploration of a revolutionary way to inexpensively increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment while also increasing cancer safety. By placing tin metal near a tumor before radiation therapy, Matthew and Blake have created a far more effective treatment for cancer. To top it off, the entire experimental process costs less than $100!

$50,000 Young Scientists Award Winners:

Taylor Wilson of Reno, Nevada was recognized for his development of novel passive and active techniques for detecting nuclear threats. Taylor successfully developed one of the lowest dose and highest sensitivity interrogation systems ever reported. Way to go, Taylor!

Pornwasu Pongtheerawan, from Muang, Suratthani, Thailand, and his partners Tanpitcha Phongchaipaiboon and Arada Sungkanit from Meung District, Thailand, were awarded for their groundbreaking research on bio-based packaging plastics through the utilization of fish scales. This team determined that a gelatin found in fish scales could be successfully used in modern day food packaging. Nice work!

It was a celebration Monday night as more than 1,500 students came together for the world’s largest high school science research competition, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of the Society for Science & the Public. These finalists – selected from 443 affiliate science fairs from around the world – kicked off their week in Los Angeles during the opening ceremonies, which included live music performances, delicious food and a presentation from the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, Jeffrey Katzenberg (pictured below).