More than 1,100 students from more 120 schools throughout the region competed in Carnegie Science Center’s 73rd annual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF)—one of the largest science fairs in the nation. Awards totaled $1 million in cash and scholarships, and winners were announced at a ceremony at Heinz Field on March 31.

Seven students were selected to represent the region at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) – to be held this year at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, May 13-18. These young scientists, whose projects were chosen from a pool of nearly 300 senior division entries, are: Calvin Beideman, Beideman HomeSchool (Pittsburgh), for “Using Software to Aid Memory”; Natalie Nash, from Vincentian Academy (McCandless), for “Creating a Navigation Device for the Visually Impaired”; Andrew Lingenfelter, from Seneca Valley Intermediate High School (Harmony Pa.), for “Designing a Low-Cost Versatile Military Robot”; Robert Vaerewyck, from St. Joseph High School (Natrona Heights, Pa.), for “A Zero Fuel Car”; Alicia Grabiec, Freeport Senior High School (Sarver, Pa.), for “Does the over-expression of miRNA in the fibroblasts cell line modify their fibrotic properties?”; Chareeni Kurukulasuriya, Pittsburgh Allderdice High School (Squirrel Hill), for “Cetuximab-DHA Antitumor Effect”; and Elizabeth Posney, Freeport Senior High School (Sarver, Pa.), for “Turnout Effect on Knee Ligament Tension.”

ISEF will bring together nearly than 1,600 students from 65 nations and territories to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips, and the grand prize: a trip to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in Stockholm. Carnegie Science Center was instrumental in the selection of Pittsburgh to host ISEF in 2012, 2015, and 2018. This event will provide a unique opportunity for Pittsburghers to interact with top young science researchers and innovators from around the globe. Pittsburgh was selected due to our rich traditions as a leader in science and technology.