Student Observers Blog About Experience at Intel ISEF 2012 (Part 2)
Students from Hudson County, New Jersey, attending Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2012 with 2010 Society Fellow Marie Aloia, wrote daily blog posts for their hometown newspaper about their experience. Below are excerpts from these student blogs (Part 2 of a 3-part blog series).
Day 3
By Bishoy Hanna and John Mankarious, Student Observers, Intel ISEF 2012
Today was the most interesting day yet on this trip. The sun finally came out. After breakfast in the morning, the entire group got together and decided to walk down to the Convention Center. For the first time, we really got to tour through Pittsburgh.
After the magical walk through the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, we went to the Panel of Excellence at the Convention Center. There we met Nobel Prize winners from the different fields of Chemistry, Physics and Medicine. They answered the questions we asked by telling about their biographies, their failures, successes, and inspirations. Some of the questions were pre-picked to save some time, but then they gave students a chance to ask any questions they had in mind. After they finished the interview, they gave the students the chance to get their autographs and to talk to them about anything, whether it be help with a project or an idea. Due to the huge crowd of students, we were only able to meet one scientist, Dr. Carl Wieman. As a fan of his works, I asked some questions concerning his discoveries and he was more than happy to answer them. Talking to these Nobel Prize winners really makes you believe that anything is possible. Most of them had humble beginnings but they continued to work hard to get to where they are today.
After resting for a bit, Intel ISEF had a surprise for all the students. We were all brought together for a Student Club night where students got to mingle together and to enjoy each others company. They had amazing music playing all night as well as food for everyone. Everyone had an amazing time. It took the edge off for most people and it helped people talk to each other and get to know each other better. The finalists got a chance to relax and kick back to enjoy themselves a bit. Honestly, this whole experience just keeps getting better and better. The trip is so well planned that we barely have any free time but yet you don’t feel bored or uninterested at all. Definitely an experience of a lifetime.
