
The Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair® (Intel ISEF) is the world’s largest high school science competition, where more than 1,500 high school students from over 70 countries compete for over $3 million annually. The Intel ISEF is a program of Society for Science & the Public, the nonprofit publisher of Science News for Kids.
Intel ISEF 2012 top winners announced!
Jack Andraka, 15, of Crownsville, Md. was awarded first place for his new method to detect pancreatic cancer at this year’s Intel ISEF.
Based on diabetic test paper, Jack created a simple dip-stick sensor to test blood or urine to determine whether or not a patient has early-stage pancreatic cancer. His study resulted in over 90 percent accuracy and showed his patent-pending sensor to be 28 times faster, 28 times less expensive and over 100 times more sensitive than current tests. Jack received the Gordon E. Moore Award, of $75,000, named in honor of Intel co-founder and retired chairman and CEO.
Nicholas Schiefer, 17, of Pickering, Ontario, Canada and Ari Dyckovsky, 18, of Leesburg, Va., each received the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award of $50,000.
To learn more about all of the Intel ISEF 2012 finalists (and those from recent past years), please visit our searchable abstracts for each finalist. We also encourage you to visit SSP on Facebook to see pictures and video from Intel ISEF 2012.
Also check out our Facebook page for additional photos, videos, links and more.
Science News for Kids stories on Intel ISEF:
- Young scientists, inventors and mathematicians score big
- New technique quickly, cheaply identifies a particularly dangerous form of cancer
- New device uses a smartphone to collect and email data on heart rhythms
- Technique uses microorganisms to scour tiny pollutants from waste water
- Granola bars for cows
- Gel-filled liner absorbs energy of impacts, may reduce sports-related head injuries
- Simple, inexpensive and eco-friendly fridge keeps fruits and veggies fresh for days
Intel ISEF in the media:
- Winners of the 2012 Intel ISEF show the promise of science for improving the world
- At ISEF, fusion is hot
- Don’t listen to advice, and other advice from Nobel laureates
- Global flavor spices up science fair
- Among the stars
- Intel ISEF Brings 1500+ Students to Pittsburgh
- Five Pakistani students compete in Intel ISEF 2012
- Nine students to represent Thailand at Intel ISEF 2012
Intel ISEF 2012 highlights video
More about the Intel ISEF
The Intel ® International Science and Engineering Fair® (Intel ISEF) is the world’s largest international high school science competition. Society for Science & the Public (SSP), the publisher of Science News for Kids, launched this competition in 1950 when it was known as the National Science Fair.
Each year, the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,500 high school students from over 70 countries, regions, and territories who are top winners of science fairs in their communities.
The Intel ISEF unites these top young scientific minds, showcasing their talent on an international stage, enabling them to submit their work to judging by doctoral level scientists, and providing the opportunity to compete for over $3 million in prizes and scholarships. The top project of the Intel ISEF each year wins $75,000.
- Learn more about the students from around the world who competed at the Intel ISEF 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Learn more about this program on its homepage on the SSP website.
Today, millions of students worldwide compete each year in local and school-sponsored science fairs; the winners of these events in grades 9-12 go on to participate in Intel ISEF-affiliated regional, state, and country fairs from which the best win the opportunity to attend the Intel ISEF.
If you are interested in competing at the Intel ISEF we encourage you to find out where your nearest affiliated fair is located.



