Local Students Win at International Science & Engineering Fair

Updated on May 20, 2013

Three students from the Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair competed at Intel International Science & Engineering Fair last week. The Intel ISEF, the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, provides an annual forum for more than 1,500 high school students from over 70 countries, regions, and territories to showcase their independent research as they compete for more than $3 million annually. The Intel ISEF is the premier global science competition for students in grades 9–12.

Ryan Maurer, 18, Senior at Frazier High School
Project: Rocket Motor Test System -7000 

Rishi Mirchandani, 16, Sophomore at Fox Chapel Area High School
Project: Superadditivity and Subadditivity in Fair Division

Anishaa Sivakumar,14, Freshman at Franklin Regional High School
Project: Dictyostelium Discoideum- Novel Diagnostic Tool for Lung Cancer using VOCs

From left to right, Anishaa Sivakumar, Rishi Mirchandani, and Ryan Maurer.
From left to right, Anishaa Sivakumar, Rishi Mirchandani, and Ryan Maurer.

Each student won a special award and two placed in their category.  Here are the details:

Anishaa Sivakumar was awarded a Grand Award of $500, an American flag and a framed copy of the first patent granted in the United States of America from the Patent and Trademark Office Society. The PTOS is a membership-based organization for Patent and Trademark professionals and other interested individuals. From its inception in 1917, the Society has been dedicated to the improvement and appreciation of the United States Patent and Trademark Systems through promoting the systems’ growth and well-being, as well as promoting the social and intellectual welfare of the Society members.

Rishi Mirchandani was awarded $500, 4th Place Grand Award in Mathematics.
He also won the 3rd Place, $1,000, from Mu Alpha Theta, National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society. Mu Alpha Theta was formed more than 50 years ago to develop strong scholarship in Mathematics and promote the understanding and enjoyment of the subject. The Mu Alpha Theta Award is given to the most challenging, thorough, and creative investigation of a problem involving mathematics accessible to high school students. Components of the investigation may include, but are not limited to, mathematical proof, mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, visualization, simulation, and approximation.

Ryan Maurer was awarded $1,000, 3rd Place Grand Award in Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical.

He also was awarded a renewable tuition scholarship of $12,500 from West Virginia University. West Virginia University awarded Academic Excellence or Presidential Scholarships to students whose research and academic aptitude align with WVU’s institutional goals and research interests. Classified as a Research University (High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, West Virginia University offers 184 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 14 academic colleges.

For more information, visit the Intel ISEF website at http://www.societyforscience.org/isef.

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