A high school student from Philippine Science High School had done a remarkable achievement in the field of science and technology during the recently concluded 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held at Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Miguel Arnold Reyes, a sixteen-year-old student received an award nobody would ever expect, an asteroid will be named after him, for winning the 2nd Grand Award in 2011 Intel ISEF. Materials and Bioengineering was the category of the project he developed.
The DOST scholar had conducted a research project that aims to produce a natural and biodegradable substitute for commercial film plastics. His research titled “Synthesis and Characterization of Composite Plastics from Thermoplastic Starch and Nano-sized Calcium Phosphate for Film Packaging.”
During his research he used an alternatives such as cornstarch, in making biodegradable plastic for film packaging. The Philippine Science High School graduate will take home $1,500 for his effort and will received from Lincoln Laboratory at MIT an asteroid named after him.
Michael Arnold Reyes will follow the footsteps of fellow notable Filipinos who had been awarded earlier an asteroid named after them. They were former PAG ASA administrator Ramon Kintanar, Campus Director of PSHS Western Visayas, Josette Biyo, Edwin Aguirre, Imelda Joson, Allan Noriel Estrella, Jeric Valles Macalintal, Prem Valles Fortran Rara and Fr. Victor.
The Intel ISEF is a premiere science competition in the world for high school students and provide a venue for them to showcase their skills in science and technolgy. This year’s INTEL ISEF had gathered together thousands of students from 65 different countries.
Meanwhile another Filipino had made it to the Final Four, sixteen-year-old Angeli Joyce Dy from Capiz National High School had also won the fourth place in the Biochemistry Category at the 2011 Intel ISEF.
Angeli Joyce Dy won fourth place for her research on Milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) Serum as an Alternative Media Supplement for Culture of A549 (human lung) and HCT 116 (colon) Carcinomas.
Her study showed that the milkfish serum is rich in mannose-binding proteins and albumins which are potential replacement for FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum). With the win she will bring home $500 as a prize.
Both students’ achievement were recognized by the Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology and will served as an encouragemen for the students to pursue a career in science and technology.