May 18, 2018
The recipients of Sigma Xi's Special Awards stand with Sigma Xi's director of Membership, Chapters and Programs Eman Ghanem, far left, and Sigma Xi's manager of programs Janelle Simmons, far right.
Approximately 2,000 high school students from 81 countries, regions, or territories showcased their independent research at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) on May 15–16 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They competed for more than $4 million in awards.
The fair is a program of Society for Science & the Public and is funded jointly by Intel with additional support from organizations such as Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society.
Sigma Xi provides $6,000 in special awards for life science and physical science projects that best demonstrate interdisciplinary research, to reflect the Society’s role of bringing researchers from different backgrounds together. The awards include a nomination to associate membership in Sigma Xi with the first year of dues paid and an invitation to submit a manuscript to Sigma Xi's referred journal for high school research, Chronicle of The New Researcher.
A group of Sigma Xi members volunteer each year to evaluate more than 300 presentations in 22 research disciplines to select the award winners.
“Interacting with these students makes one feel positive for our future,” said Vishal Shah, a Sigma Xi member from Wester Chester University who judged at Intel ISEF this year. “Every single poster was founded on strong critical thinking and hard work. The students’ communication skills were exemplary and I am proud to have had this humbling opportunity to interact with these scientists.”
“It was an honor and a privilege to meet these remarkable students from all over the world. I will never forget this experience,” said Kathleen Triman of Franklin & Marshall College and an officer of the Sigma Xi Chapter there.
Eman Ghanem, Sigma Xi's director of Membership, Chapters, and Programs, presented an interactive session titled, "From Exploration to Publication,” in which she discussed the opportunity for high school students to publish their research in Chronicle of The New Researcher.
The Sigma Xi judging team at the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Judges
Sigma Xi thanks the following judges for selecting the winners of its 2018 awards at Intel ISEF. Janelle Simmons, Sigma Xi's manager of programs, coordinated the judging process. Thank you to Sumalatha Sriramoju of Infoview Solutions for assisting with the judging process.
Stephanie Tristam-Nagle, Carnegie Mellon University*
Steven Albert, University of Pittsburgh*
Andrew Joseph, Sigma Xi*
Ajay Sriramoju, McKesson*
Anthony Kapolka, Wilkes University*
Gizelle Sherwood, Carnegie Mellon University*
Igor Woiciechowski, Alderson Broaddus University*
Vishal Shah, West Chester University*
Benjamin Carone, Rowan University*
Linda Winkler, Wilkes University*
Jacqueline McLaughlin, Penn State University–Lehigh Valley*
Karl Sohlberg, Drexel University*
Kathleen Triman, Franklin and Marshall College*
Renee Tobin, Temple University*
Julie Booth, Temple University
Benjamin Hunt, Carnegie Mellon University*
Eman Ghanem, Sigma Xi*
*=Sigma Xi member
2018 Sigma Xi Special Award Winners
First Place Life Science Award of $2,000
TMED024T–Enhanced Alzheimer's Treatment via External Gamma Brain Wave Stimulation
Krystal Rose Horton, Western Center Academy, Menifee, CA, United States of America
Tanner John Packham, Western Center Academy, Hemet, CA, United States of America
Second Place Life Science Award of $1,000
ANIM026T–Galaxy Nest: A Study on the Nesting Behaviors of Asian Weaver Ants
Muhua Yang, St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Ruo Yan Elysia Ye, Chinese International School, Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
First Place Physical Science Award of $2,000
MATH038T–The Polar Equations of Water Distribution from Butterfly Sprinkler Heads
Adisorn Khantong, Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Phetchaburi, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Kullanut Booranarom, Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Phetchaburi, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Witchaya Natemonprapa, Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Phetchaburi, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Second Place Physical Science Award of $1,000
EGPH004T–Energy of Life: Colored Bioluminescent Concentrator for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance
Andrew Liu, Clear Brook High School, Houston, TX, United States of America
Smiti Gandhi, Clear Brook High School, Houston, TX, United States of America