Students sustain science superiority despite Sandy

Four Lawrence High School students were named finalists in the ISWEEEP (International Sustainable World Energy Engineering Environment Project) competition, three are also finalists in the Intel ISEF (International Science and Engineering) competition, and all four won awards at the International Energy and Sustainability Conference at the Farmingdale State College High School Research competition, sponsored by the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center at Farmingdale State College on March 19.

Alexandra Tse, Alexandra Tse, Sneha Chittathinini and Andrew Chen named finalists for the Intel SEF in Phoenix, Ariz., May 12-17 by finishing first in the category of Energy and Transportation at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair at the Flushing Meadow Hall of Science on March 18. Krim earned honorable mention in Materials Science/Bioengineering. Tse, Sneha and Krim also presented at the Farmingdale conference and won cash prizes for their projects.

ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college and premier global science competition for high school students. More than 1,500 high schools from approximately 70 countries, regions, territories display their independent research and compete for more than $3 million in awards, annually.

“Even a two-month displacement can’t keep Lawrence High School students down, said science teacher Rebecca Isseroff, referring to the relocation of high school students and staff to the middle school due to electrical system damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. Isseroff mentors the students through their research.

All four were also selected to present their research at this year’s ISWEEEP competition in Houston, Texas, May 8-11. ISWEEP is an international science fair which focuses on energy, engineering and environmental projects.

Its goal is to encourage high school students to search for alternative solutions for a sustainable world. Last year 600 students from 68 countries presented their research projects and competed for scholarships and other awards.