Big Island student invited to world's largest science fair

[TomK]

This is a really nice story and shows what young people can achieve on this island if they just stay at school and be ambitious. Ciana-lei Bence, a Big Island high school student, has been invited to the world's biggest science fair that will be held in Texas later this month. I wish her all the best in her endeavors.

"Designed to help aspiring young astronomers envision their potential to pursue a career in STEM-related fields, the Maunakea Scholars program is sending its first representative from Hawaiʻi to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), May 14–19. ISEF is the largest science and engineering fair for high school students in the world.

Ciana-lei Bence, who is also the first Maunakea Scholar from the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Island campus, is mentored by University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy Director Doug Simons. She is currently a high school senior and plans to go to college to pursue a PhD in astrophysics. Her ultimate goal is to come back to work in Hawaii and create more community engagement in astronomy."

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2023/05/05/m...lei-bence/

[SBH]

That is very exciting and inspiring for students here on Hawaii island. We’ll all be cheering for her! Wouldn’t that be amazing if she were to win. Tough competition with around 1800 finalists. Wishing her the best!

[AaronM]

*Applause*

[TomK]

The competition in Texas supposedly finished yesterday and the results have been announced. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as though Ciana-lei Bence won an award, but given the prestige of even being invited to such an event, we should congratulate her achievements and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

https://projectboard.world/isef/college-career-fair -> View Award Winners.