Pinning cultures together at the 2022 Regeneron ISEF pin exchange

May 9, 2022

Society for Science President & CEO and Publisher of Science News poses for a photo with finalists during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF pin exchange — Society for Science President & CEO and Publisher of Science News traded pins with finalists during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF pin exchange. Courtesy of Society for Science

For the first time since 2019, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists gathered in person to exchange pins representing their home countries or states. This event is an honored tradition at ISEF and is a vibrant convening of students worldwide to kick off competition week! Laughter, smiles and the energy of scientific interest and unity filled the room as more than 1,100 finalists from 63 countries, regions and territories asked each other “where are you from?” and “do you have this pin yet?”

Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of Society for Science and Publisher of Science News, and George Yancopoulos, President, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron even stopped by to exchange pins and meet the finalists.

Here’s a look at the first social event of the week!

Finalists exchange pins from their home countries and states during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange — “We brought a lot of crazy pins!” As students traded pins, they learned what the pins represented about each other’s homes. Courtesy of Society for Science

2022 Regeneron ISEF Finalist wears Mardi Gras beads and pins on their ISEF badge — In addition to pins, students exchanged Mardi Gras beads, flags, bracelets and even stuffed animals. Courtesy of Society for Science

Finalists from Brazil and Puerto Rico exchange pins during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange — Students from countries including Brazil, Puerto Rico, Thailand and Saudi Arabia wore their culture’s traditional clothing. Courtesy of Society for Science

George Yancopoulos and Finalists from Brazil pose for a photo at the pin exchange — Students traded pins and took photos with Regeneron President, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer George Yancopoulos. Courtesy of Society for Science

2022 Regeneron ISEF finalists exchange pins and laughs during the pin exchange. — In addition to gaining new pins, the pin exchange gives finalists a chance to gain new friendships with students from around the world. Courtesy of Society for Science

Interested in following along during Regeneron ISEF competition week? Tune into watch the live-streamed Opening Ceremony here tonight, May 9, at 7 p.m. ET. You can learn about this year’s finalists here, and this Friday, tune in to watch the Grand Awards ceremony to see who takes home the top $75,000 award. That event starts at 9 a.m. ET on May 13.

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