The Planetarium Science Center (PSC), in collaboration with Intel Co. and ATLAS For Youth NGO, organized the ALEX Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF) hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) on 25 February 2009. The competition aimed to prepare students from Alexandria and neighboring governorates for participating, competing, and winning in the national competition, Egypt Science and Engineering Fair (ESEF), which took place in March 2009. ESEF winning projects, two team projects and four individual projects, also represented Egypt in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) that took place this year in Reno, Nevada, the USA, on 10–15 May 2009.

The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is considered the world’s largest international pre-college science competition; it provides an annual forum for more than 1,500 high school students from over 40 countries to share ideas and showcase cutting-edge science projects. Participating students also competed for millions of dollars in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment, and scientific trips.

The ALEX Fair brings together students, 14-18 years of age, from more than 50 schools in Alexandria and neighboring governorates to train, research, innovate and compete in preparation for the Egypt Science and Engineering Fair (ESEF). Briefing sessions were also provided to participating teams and individuals, in addition to training mentors on methods of guiding and leading their students.

ALEX Fair welcomed students who are capable of creative thinking and have innovative ideas in any field of science or engineering. They were asked to research a certain topic, of their choice, to which their project was related. The students could choose from among a variety of scientific themes, such as: animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry and microbiology, Earth and planetary science, electrical and mechanical engineering, energy and transportation, environmental management, medicine and health sciences, physics, mathematics, astronomy, or plant sciences. After choosing the theme, participating students were asked to prepare a research paper, a data handbook, a prototype (optional), a display, an abstract and a presentation that is not on paper (optional).

The students’ projects were judged by university professors, specialized scientists and engineers, as well as industry professional volunteers. The Grand Award judging was judged using a 100-point scale, with points assigned to creative abilities, scientific thinking, engineering goals, thoroughness, skills, and clarity.

This year, 32 projects competed in ALEX Fair 2009; the students competed in all stages with enthusiasm and zest, introducing their creative abilities, scientific thinking, skills, and innovative ideas to the judges and the encouraging audience.

All projects participated in (ALEX fair) the regional competition received awards; however, the first three places received a gift to each participant presented from Intel Egypt. In addition the first winning project will go directly to represent Egypt in Turkey science fair the end of May 2009.

The first place prize went to Sara Mostafa Alsaharawi,  Yousr Mostafa Alsaharawi, and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in the Biochemistry  category with their project entitled "Biological Treatment of CO2"; the second place prize went to Mohanad Alaa Abd ElMonem, Belal Magdy Elsaid in the Engineering Materials & Bioengineering category with their project entitled  "Handicapped Chair Mouse"; the third place prize went to Ahmed Tarek Fahmy, Omar Amin Ghorab, Ibrahim Mohamed Hany in the Behavioral & Social Science category  with their project entitled "Increasing the Percentage of the Communication Between Deaf & Normal".

Other prizes went to Enas Belal for her project "How to Use Genetics to Resist Some Plant Diseases?" in the Cellular and Molecular Biology category; Dina Nashaat Mohammed for her project "Salt Water as an Alternative Fuel to Marine Engines" in the Energy & Transportation category; Ahmed Samir Rashed for his project "Show Me Your License" in the Electrical & Mechanical Engineering category; Ramez Youssef for his project "Safer & Cheaper Ways to Avoid Oil Spills” in the Environmental Sciences category; Nourhan Ashraf Mohamed Elsayed, Reem Ashraf Mohamed El Sayed, and Ali Tarek Abo Elattar for their project "Safe Manufacture of Microchips" in the Chemistry category. In addition to two special awards to young students went to Sohail Ahmed Gad Elrab for his project "Bag Carry with Helium” in the Chemistry category, and Noha Mahmoud Mansy for her project "Put It Out" in the Behavioral & Social Science category.

For additional information about ISEF, please visit:
http://www.societyforscience.org/ISEF/
For additional information about ESEF, please visit:
http://www.egyptsciencefair.com/