The National Science and Engineering Competition (NSEC), the United Kingdom’s largest science, technology, engineering and mathematics competition was won by a fourteen-year-old Mensan, Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh, from Cambridge. He submitted a project on the orbital and physical properties of the Earth’s Trojan Asteroid, 2010 TK7 to the competition which would be held in Birmingham, in March 2012.

In addition to the Prize of “Junior Winner of the National Science and Engineering Competition”, Gianamar won the CREST (Creativity in Science and Technology) Prize for Enthusiasm and Real-World Context, and was selected as a UK delegate to Broadcom MASTERS at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, USA. Their website refers to the Broadcom MASTERS, as a “program of Society for Science & the Public (SSP)” and the “premier science fair competition for 6th, 7th and 8th graders.”

Speaking in March 2012 about the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham Gianamar said:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the National Science and Engineering Competition at the Big Bang Fair 2012, held in Birmingham. It is a wonderful celebration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and I feel that it is a platform for young science-enthusiasts from all over the UK to have their voices heard; their projects discussed with some of the greatest scientific minds of the nation. Furthermore, there is a wide array of fabulous prizes available for all participants, from all-expenses- paid trips to other science fairs throughout the world (such as my prize awarded by Broadcom MASTERS, allowing me to travel to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, USA), to monetary prizes of up to £2000.

“It is an unforgettable experience for young scientists, to showcase their brilliant ideas, and also meet some of the celebrity-scientists of the world, such as Professor Brian Cox or Professor Jim Al-Khalili. It is a national celebration of STEM, which inspires so many people to pursue science in their studies at University and eventually to work in scientific careers, from academics in theoretical physics to company managers for shampoo companies. The Big Bang Fair has been undoubtedly one of the best experiences in my life, and I will continue to attend future Big Bang Fairs, and encourage so many more people to enter their projects.”

In August he spoke of his trip to Pittsburgh:
“The Broadcom MASTERS program was absolutely incredible! I reached Pittsburgh in the late evening of the 12th of June, together with the other UK fellow delegates. It was fantastic to be able to meet so many other bright minds from throughout the world, and share my ideas with them. In addition, not only did we take part in some brilliant scientific challenges, such as trying to make a successful 1-mile long Rube Goldberg chain reaction, but we also got to bond as a group, and meet other people like ourselves. The Broadcom MASTERS program selects the top eighteen students aged 12-15 from around the world, and lets them meet at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

“We were the first Broadcom MASTERS international delegates, and I must say, the program arranged for us was marvellous. We did many exciting things in Pittsburgh, including visiting the Kennywood theme park; the oldest theme park in the world, or visiting the Ketchup museum (which was undoubtedly the most interesting Ketchup museum that I ever visited!) I would strongly recommend other young people in the UK to take part in events such as the Big Bang Fairs to get a possibility to win such spectacular awards as these. It was an unforgettable experience that I would like to share with as many other brilliant young scientists here in the UK as possible.”

 

This article was provided by Gianamar Giovannetii-Singh for British Mensa.

Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh is in Year 11 at Parkside Federation Academies, 2012 Junior Science and Maths Winner, Winner of CREST Award for Enthusiasm and Real-World Context and Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate to the Intel ISEF in Pittsburgh, USA.