Master M. Sivatharshan from Hartley College Jaffna was adjudged the winner in the individual category at the recently held Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair (SLSEF) 2015. The SLSEF features ten best projects each from the Science Research Project Competition (SRPC) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka and the Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition held by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL). Miss K. A. S. Subodha Sewwandi of Bomiriya Central College Kaduwela was adjudged the second runner up in the individual category, whilst B. P. Wijerathna, T. P. Dissanayake and R. J. Ishanka Premalal from Gnanodaya Maha Vidyalaya Kalutara were declared winners in the group category. 

The event that took place last week at the IESL auditorium is a prelude to the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair® (Intel ISEF). Sponsored by Intel, the winners will take part in the 65^th Intel ISEF to be held from 10-15 May 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Last year, Namal Piyasiri of Thambuttegama Central College won a grand prize and two special awards for his versatile field construction machine for paddy cultivation while Nipun Kavishka Silva of De Mazenod College, Kandana clinched a grand prize for Computer Science.

Master Sivatharshan’s project ‘Eye Protection and Energy Saving Lamp’, was a novel design with an LED bulb enclosed in a sphere filled with distilled water which helps the light to scatter evenly and increase its concentration. Miss Sewwandi’s project was a supporting rod made out of steel to assist the elderly and disabled to climb steps. The winning group project explored the science of using ‘Goraka’ (Garcinia quaesita Pierre) to retain the freshness in Garlic.

Congratulating the winners, Indika de Zoysa, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Limited, Sri Lanka Liaison office said, “It has been a pleasure working with SLSEF for the last eight years, helping bright Sri Lankan minds to showcase their innovative ideas at this global forum and gain invaluable exposure and experience. I wish the winners all the very best and look forward to seeing them bringing glory to Sri Lanka.”

Prior to the event, Prof. Rezvi Sheriff, Chairperson, Scientific Review Committee (SRC) of SLSEF said, “SLSEF has become the perfect platform for young inventors in Sri Lanka to engage in research and development. This is indeed a great opportunity for our young minds, and I trust that the winners will make the most of their opportunities at this year’s Intel ISEF. I wish them the very best of luck.”

As the world’s largest pre-college science fair, and the only global science competition for students in grades 9-12, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of the Society for Science and the Public, encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and solve the problems of tomorrow. Over the past seven years, 28 Sri Lankan students have participated at Intel ISEF while over 13 officials have attended the Intel Educator Academy. Sri Lanka has won five grand awards and seven special awards to date at the event.

About SLSEF: The Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair (SLSEF) is held in December each year.  The competitors for this fair will be selected from the Science Research Project competition of National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka in November each year and the Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition of Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) in October each year. The ten best projects of each of the above two competitions of NSF and IESL compete together at the SLSEF competition.

About Intel ISEF: The world’s largest international pre-college science competition brings together thousands of young scientists to share ideas and showcase cutting-edge science.  Intel advances math, science, and engineering education, as well as research, to encourage and empower the innovators of tomorrow. In 2014, Intel ISEF brought together more than 1,500 young scientists from over 70 countries, regions, and territories and awarded USD 4 million in prizes.

About Intel: Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The Company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com

[caption id="attachment_8492" align="alignnone" width="640"] The SLSEF finalists with Intel, NSF and IESL representatives[/caption]