Three students were selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair® (Intel ISEF) 2016, after they excelled at the recently-held Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair (SLSEF) 2016 with their innovative healthcare solutions.

Master Chamindu Jayasanka from Hanwella Rajasinghe Central College was adjudged the winner at this year’s competition, whilst Master Abishek Stenush Gomes from Belvoir College International, Colombo was adjudged the first runner-up. Master P.M. Lochana Piyumantha from Madampe Senanayake Central College was declared second runner-up.

Master Jayasanka’s winning project “Modified and adjustable crutches”, consists of crutches integrated with a seat that is height adjustable. The main feature of this product is that it offers the users the convenience of a seat when he or she finds it difficult to stand up for a long time period.  Master Abishek’s project is a wearable glove to assist the hearing and speech impaired. The user makes a hand gesture which is identified by a pre-recorded sensory output table and the words are displayed on a smartphone application. Master Piyumantha, explored the effectiveness of a new nano-drug to use against Chemo-Endocrine Resistant Endometrial Cancer cells.

The SLSEF features the 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).

The event took place last month at the IESL auditorium is a prelude to the Intel ISEF. Sponsored by Intel, the winners will take part in the 66th Intel ISEF scheduled to be held from 8-13 May 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Last year, Miss K. A. S. Subodha Sewwandi of Bomiriya Central College Kaduwela received a Fourth Place Award of $500 in the Engineering Mechanics: Mechanical Engineering category for the project ‘Supporting Rod to Climb Stair Case for Disabled Personnel’.

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 nine 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 see them bring glory to Sri Lanka.”

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, 33 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 eight special awards to date at the event.