CSF - Connecticut Science Fair

The excitement continues to build as we enjoyed day three of the International Science and Engineering Fair in Cleveland - today - Monday, May 12th. The wind continues to howl in Cleveland. As we look out our windows from the 12th floor of the hotel we have an unobstructed view of Cleveland Browns Stadium and Lake Erie all the way to the horizon. There is a rock jetty barrier that separates the open Lake from the shore. We watched today as the waves effortlessly barreled over. Maybe tomorrow's weather will be better!

The weather did not dampen our spirits though. We took the opportunity to go to the convention center to check projects, attend workshops, and continue trading pins with our new-found friends from around the country and around the world. Our big event was the opening dinner and ceremony.

After dinner for 2500, we headed to the auditorium - an old arena-style building that Intel had retrofitted with a rock concert style sound system, lighting system, and giant projection screen televisions.

The governor of Ohio and mayor of Cleveland gave their greetings and then the MC revealed a giant television set mocked up like Family Feud, complete with electronic game board, buzzers, and . We watched as the CEO of Intel, Nobel Prize Laureates, and students including our very own Alex Mittal, played. Alex got a strike for his answer to the question “Name a rodent.” (His answer was mole - not on the survey even though porcupine was - we are still debating the merits of the top 5 answers . . . ) The game was strategically interrupted when the keynote speaker came out to address the students and adults - John Glenn. Senator Glenn mesmerized the crowd and inspired the students to challenge themselves in their endeavors. Returning to the hotel, we found out that while Alex was backstage, he got to meet John Glenn and get his autograph.

Tomorrow should bring more excitement . . .

FEATURED STUDENT OF THE DAY - ALEX MITTAL

I had the opportunity to speak with Alex this evening regarding his past, his future and his ideas. Alex is a senior at Greenwich high school and holds the distinct honor of being the only Connecticut student to attend the ISEF for four consecutive years. Alex has been honored as an Intel Science Talent Search and Siemens Westinghouse national finalist, as well as earning the 2002 ISEF top honors Intel Young Scientist Award, earning him a trip to the Nobel Prize Ceremony in Sweden. Alex will be attending the University of Pennsylvania this fall to pursue dual degrees from the School of Engineering as well as the Wharton School of Business.

Alex told me that his interest in science stems from his curiosity. He feels his parents have been the biggest inspiration and have provided great encouragement in his scientific endeavors. He relayed a story to me from his early childhood when his sister got a kiddie chemistry kit for Christmas. He was just as excited as his sister was. While they were looking at the kit a test tube broke and his parents swiftly took the kit away from them and put it someplace safe. Alex somehow managed to climb up and get the kit when no one was around and secretly and randomly mixed things together. He managed in a short amount of time to get a reaction to occur in a tube and it fired a cork across the room. He got in trouble for his deviance, but it continued to foster his excitement for science.

With all of Alex's honors, I wanted to him to select a meaningful experience from his research experience. He chose to tell me about the first time he met his mentor at New York University. Alex was sharing his ideas with Professor Seeman. Alex was excited that he had made an impression on Dr. Seeman, that he was willing to have his department take on a high school student, allow him to work with one of his PostDocs, Dr. Lukeman, and that Alex's ideas were feasible and might work.

Alex ended by sharing some of the great advice he has received: If you stick to what you like to do and to your passions, you will find success. Alex certainly has done this with science research and we wish him well on his future endeavors.

Frank LaBanca
Science Teacher, Stamford High School
For the Connecticut Science Fair