Nigeria Wins at the 2014 Intel ISEF Special Award

Nigeria was not left out in the showcase of scientific innovation and development of scientific research at the 2014 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which held in Los Angeles, USA as Nigerian students emerge winners in the Special Award. Ibukunoluwa Ruth Oladeinde and Eveshorhewa Sophia Samuel Ajayi of Doregos Academy Ipaja, Lagos won a second Life Science Award of $1,000 courtesy Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society in the category of Medicine and Health Science for the project titled: ‘Walnut: Sustainable Solution to Halitosis’ for the treatment and diagnosis of Halitosis. Nigeria was represented with 6 projects and 12 students at the finals in Los Angeles which is a follow up to the 2014 National Fair Competition which held in Akwa Ibom State earlier in the year where the students emerged as winners. The National Festival of School Science (NAFESS) which is affiliated to Intel ISEF is organized annually by Genius Illumina. Genius Illumina coordinates and organizes the Local Science Fair in Nigeria and prepares the winners for Intel ISEF. Intel Corporation, Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC/NNPC-NAPIMS and Interswitch Nigeria Ltd partnered with Genius Illumina to organize the Nigerian Fair and ensure participation at the International Intel ISEF According to Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation, Babatunde Akinola, he stated that “Intel is proud to know that Nigerian students are devoted to the growth of science and technology. In a bid to increase advocacy to education stakeholders and continuous support for the support of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education in Nigeria, all partners and Genius Illumina will embark on capacity building for science teachers in states of the federation in the next three years with the aid of Intel STEM courses to be offered through a mix of facilitated and e-learning platforms The other 5 projects that featured in the Intel ISEF finals include, 2 WP Tri-Generator, Doregos Private Academy Lagos, Nanopiece from Airforce Comprehensive School, Uyo, Design and Construction of an electronic pest control device from Maryam Babanginda Girls Science College, Minna, Traffic Control System for the Blind, from Teto Model College Yenogoa, Power Failure Solution, Government Technical College Lagos, Agidingbi Ikeja. Shell Petroleum Development Company will sponsor all 6 winners to attend Robotics Challenge later in the year.