PETALING JAYA, May 21 — It was a double victory for Penang-based schools as Chung Ling vernacular school and renowned Penang Free took joint third placing at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2017 in California, United States on Friday.
Their victory brought accolades to the Jalur Gemilang as they join Malaysia-born Tanisha Marthesaran who won a prize at the event in Los Angeles.
The Chung Ling team comprised Zhan Yi Chng and Xian Jing Koa, and their victory was for their project on caffeine as an effective and eco-friendly termiticide (termite repellent).
Representing Penang Free were Norman Sim and Raul Vimal Kumar, both 16, who tied for third place for their invention, SALT — a saponin anti-larvae treatment made from natural substances.
These substances function in a similar way as other chemical-based larvicides, with the difference being it doesn’t pollute the environment.
Each team will return home with US$1,000 (RM4,322.50) for their projects.
Intel Malaysia has been encouraging and sponsoring local student participation in the world’s largest international pre-college science competition for the last 18 years.
The global finalists were drawn from more than 400 events which encompassed science and engineering disciplines.
The projects for the finalists focussed on various subjects ranging from virtual reality, sustainable energy and machine learning.
Besides the winners, 10 other students made it as finalists representing Malaysia at this year’s Intel ISEF.
In the individual category, were Munirah Suhada Mahdzir from SMK Buloh Kasap, Johor; Farhah Nabilah Rosli from MRSM Batu Pahat; Isaac Chung De Wei and Joel Jong Lee Zher, both from SMK Batu Lintang, Sarawak.
The two schools in the teams event were Kai Bo Lee, Felix D’ Marvin and Muhammad Akram Ahmad from SMK Ibrahim, Sungai Petani; and Zaiyani Bahari and Farah Nurshahira Mohd Solehin from MRSM Kubang Pasu, in Kedah.
