the-BA : Intel ISEF 2008

Press Release from Young Engineers and the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science)

For immediate release
9th May 2008

Three intrepid young British scientists and engineers will set off this weekend for the USA to represent their country in the Intel-sponsored International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Atlanta, Georgia. Each has earned the right following their successes in either the Young Engineer for Britain contest, which is run annually by Young Engineers, a charitable organisation with a major role in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s ‘BES T’ programme, or, in the CREST Awards at the UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair, which is organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

Ruth Amos (18) from Sheffield, whose novel ‘Stair-Steady’ device won her the 2006 Young Engineer for Britain title, and Thomas Pitts (19), From Stamford, Lincolnshire, whose ‘Profile’ automatic bench-top filing machine won him the Craftsmanship and Finish Young Engineer prize in 2007, are flying the British engineering flag at ISEF; while Alex White, from the King's School in Chester, is the UK's science hope after winning his place at the UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair.

Ruth has already taken her award-winning device to market and now, sponsored by Forgemaster of Sheffield, hopes it will win international acclaim. Ruth’s ‘Stair-Steady’ is designed to help the elderly or physically-impaired to negotiate stairs on their own two feet.

David’s ‘Profile’ bench-top machine can be pre-programmed to allow complex work pieces to be filed to precision tolerances.

Alex conducted his CREST Award project at the University of Liverpool after receiving a Nuffield Bursary. Analysing the synthesis and catalytic properties of a novel group of materials, he found that they have potential to be used as catalysts in safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical reactions widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

The three are up against stiff opposition from hundreds of other competitors representing the cream of young scientific and engineering talent across the world.

ISEF takes place from 11 -16 May. ‘Win or lose, this is a chance of a lifetime’ said Ruth Amos. ‘I’m so pleased I entered Young Engineer for Britain, it’s really opened doors for me, not only helping me to get my project manufactured commercially, but also in providing me with lots of exciting opportunities like representing my country at ISEF. Engineering is so exciting and many young people simply don’t understand what it is really about, they are missing out on so much by not getting involved in programmes like Young Engineers.’

‘It was a great opportunity to get into a lab and work alongside PhD students and take my skills beyond A-level,’ Alex said of his CREST project research experience. ‘My project really confirmed to me that I want to pursue a career in chemical research. I was overjoyed at winning the Intel ISEF prize. I spoke to two of the previous winners after the Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair award ceremony and they told me what a hugely influential experience it had been in their lives. I’m really looking forward to it.’

ENDS

For further information about CREST, the Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair and related media enquiries please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946, Email: press@the-ba.net

For further information about Young Engineers, please contact:
Joanne Phillips, Young Engineers
Tel: 01428 727825; E-mail: projects@youngeng.org

For Young Engineers-related media enquires contact:
Malcolm McLaren-Clark
Tel: 01798 865799, Email: info@malcolmclark.co.uk

Notes for Editors

About the CREST Awards
CREST (CREativity in Science and Technology) is a project-based award scheme for secondary-age students aiming to recognise and accredit students' achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths (see www.the-ba.net/crest for further details).

The impressive accomplishments of students aged 11-19 participating in the CREST Awards and associated schemes are celebrated at the annual UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair. Over 28,000 students from across the UK participated in the CREST Award Scheme in 2007. 51 projects made it to the national fair after winning at one of 12 regional finals or via selection by a scientific review committee.

The BA would like to thank Intel for sponsoring the trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair, and AstraZeneca and Research Councils UK for their sponsorship of CREST.

The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science), the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering, organises major initiatives across the UK. These include National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, as well as an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges, of which CREST and the Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair are part. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.

About Young Engineers

Participation in Young Engineers stimulates interest, appreciation and engagement in the practical application of engineering and technology by young people in primary and secondary education. It enables volunteer teachers and their supporters to provide exciting, challenging and creative activities that enrich the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) curriculum.

Central to Young Engineers’ operations is its growing nationwide network of after school engineering clubs, which form a core constituent of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Best Programme. The network is funded and supported entirely by industry and professional institutions and is endorsed by Government. Patron is HRH The Duke of York, KG, KCVO, ADC.

National sponsors are Lloyd's Register Educational Trust, BAA, the Royal Navy and Airbus; other key sponsors include ARM, Arup, Cobham plc, EBV Elektronik, STMicroelectronics, National Grid, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Rolls-Royce, the Royal Airforce, Hasbro, BNFL, Thales, the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation, Sea Vision UK and Rapid.

The Young Engineers website: www.youngeng.org provides a virtual community for teachers engaged in STEM education and offers them an invaluable resource, loaded with information and hands-on engineering activities designed both to inspire students’ minds and develop their know-how.

An exciting programme of challenges and competitions is organized each year to create excitement and to help develop communications, literacy and numeracy skills both individually and as part of a team. This programme includes Young Engineer for Britain, the Royal Navy Challenge, the BAA Challenge, the Airbus Challenge and the K’Nex Challenge. Success in each brings rich rewards in prizes and prestige for both the school and the student, which often creates a life changing experience.

Intel® in Education

In today’s society, education is critical for students to develop key 21st century skills such as familiarity with information and communication technology (ICT), along with excelling in mathematics, and science and engineering so that they are able to function in, and shape, the world ahead. Intel currently invests over $100 million per year in over 50 countries to promote education efforts in these areas. www.intel.co.uk/education

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