Stepping out of the luxurious Hyatt Regency into the bright Arizona sunlight, the Connecticut Intel ISEF team headed out to The Breakfast Club to start the day. From the arid desert landscape jut out towering skyscrapers, a testament to the groundbreaking, modern developments springing up all around the world today. Indeed, ISEF is a testament to this accelerating pace of advancement. This year’s theme, “Think Beyond”, encourages us not only to become a part of the rapidly developing field of science, but also to lead it – to take the initiative in a new generation of scientists and pave the way for novel innovations unimaginable just a decade ago.

These ideas were strongly and successfully conveyed to us through the Excellence in Science and Technology Panel, where two Nobel Prize winners and other accomplished scientists answered students’ questions about priorities and achieving success in today’s world. We were advised to persevere in the face of difficulty, uncertainty, and setbacks, surrounding ourselves with colleagues and friends who aspire to defy the odds and accomplish the impossible. Nevertheless, what struck me the most was Dr. Cato Laurencin’s statement that his peers, students, and family had undeniable precedence over his scientific research; this comment was met with enthusiastic, spontaneous applause from the crowd.

After the panel, we tried out some of Intel’s latest technologies, such as virtual reality and flying droids, at the Intel Quad before taking a walk in sunny Phoenix. Having returned to the hotel, we all gathered to present our projects to one another in preparation for tomorrow – judging day. We took a break and went to a mixer event at the convention center, then returned to our rooms to finish up project discussions.

As I write, we are all about to return to our rooms to go to sleep. As I write, we are all facing the uncertainty of tomorrow. But, as we learned today, perseverance in the face of uncertainty amongst a group of like-minded friends can lead to learning experiences and success.

Martha Haddad

Junior

Immaculate High School, Danbury