Six American students are getting a month of hands-on experience in the science labs of Mahidol University as a part of the two of the most prestigious science ompetitions in the USA for pre-college students.

Both the Intel Science Talent Search and the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology offer a first prize of $100,000 or 3.3 million baht, making it well worth the time to come across half the earth and to the Phayathai Campus.

Mr. Brian Tam of New York is learning from Dr. Pimchai Chaiyen how to use bacterial luciferase as a tool for measuring oxygen concentration.

In Dr. Benchawan Wiwatanapataphee’s math lab, Mr. Michael Geoghegan, also from Manhasset High School in New York, is busy elaborate mathematical models to forecast how best to dry tropical woods with a microwave.

“I’ve known of the Intel contest long time ago, and we are quite please to host these students for the first time, said Faculty of Science Dean Skorn.

The Science Talent Search (STS) is America’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors.

Since 1942, first in partnership with Westinghouse and since 1998 with Intel, the competition has provided a national stage for America’s best and brightest young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized professional scientists.

For the students and the Mahidol University science researchers, only a small portion of the work is finished with the students depart Thailand to return home.

“Then comes the hard part,’ said Assistant Professor Kanyaratt Supaibulwatana, Deputy Dean of International Relations, Faculty of Science. “Through e-mail, the researchers will have to help the students analyze their data and draw results.”

Mr. Peter Guestella, faculty advisor from New York has been extremely pleased with having the students work in the Mahidol University science labs.

“Everyone has been super friendly and super professional,” he said.

“Anytime I have gone into any of the labs, the primary research has taken a good deal of his or her time to personally teaching a student a technique,” he added.

As to the two 45-minute trips to and from Salaya to the Phayathai Campus each day, Mr. Guestella said, “Frankly, they are handling the long ride and traffic better than I am. They really are a great group.”

The Faculty of Science and the International College at Mahidol University have coordinated together to arrange this special program for these high school students.

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Post Date : July 19, 2008