‘Grammar’ pupil wins over $3,000 for science project

Myles Mitchell gained $3,250 in prize money at the International Science and Engineering Fair, sponsored by computer giant Intel, which was held this year in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Commonly known as the Intel ISEF, the fair is the world’s largest international pre-university science competition, and provides an annual forum for more than 1,500 high school students from over 70 countries to showcase their independent research. Myles own scientific work, which involved the use of coke cans to focus sound waves, gained first prize and a total of $2,250 from the ‘The Acoustical Society of America’, the fore-most international scientific society in acoustics. Of the $2,250 total awarded to Myles’ project, $1,500 goes to the 18-year-old with Limavady Grammar School gaining a further $500, and his mentor being awarded $250.

His prize-winning didn’t stop there, though, with a further Award of Merit worth $1,000 granted to Myles by ‘The Society of Exploration Geophysicists’, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the science of applied geophysics.

Mr Robert Wilson, Prinicpal of Limavady Grammar, accompanied his school’s Deputy Head Boy to Phoenix for the event. Speaking after his return, he said: “Myles presented his work in a most professional manner in Phoenix. He impressed the specialist judges with the rigour of his research and his in-depth knowledge of the complexities of his project. Winning two such prestigious awards in a field of the world’s brightest young engineers and scientists is truly outstanding. Myles has been fascinated with Physics for many years and his participation in this project in the middle of a heavy A level schedule is testament to Myles’ capacity for hard work’.