Shahar Gevirtz and Yadid Elgaoui won first place in the Young Scientists and Developers Competition 2009. The competition was held at the Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem under the auspices of "Intel". The award was presented to the winners by President Shimon Peres in a festive ceremony held at the President's Residence
Shahar Gvirtz and Yadid Algaoui, students of Amit Gush Dan High School, developed a new purification method to reduce the concentration of lead ions in water, based on their adsorption to dried water plants pistachio and salvinia, through a chemical reaction of oxidation - reduction. The research development of the two young scientists has scientific and economic importance and a significant contribution to the quality and improvement of the environment through the purification of water and industrial wastewater from lead ions.
The team of judges in the 2009 Young Scientists and Developers Competition determined that the deep and professional interest of Shahar and Yedid led to findings with a welcome contribution, and that in the innovative and original development the young scientists contributed to progress and a real breakthrough in the field. The purification of waste water and its utilization is a great contribution to the water economy in Israel, while reducing the nuisance of environmental pollution - to public health and the health of the environment.
The unique development is a significant advance, since until today the process of purifying water and wastewater required the chemical intervention of expensive metal salts that cause damage and salting of the soil, sludge and effluents. The research of the two young scientists who won the first place is of first-class importance - their innovative development will allow the expansion of the supply of effluents for various uses in agriculture, urban gardening, industry and electricity production.
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Two interesting research papers took second place in the competition:
- Development of a tool for predicting the amount of insulin to inject for diabetics - the work of Merav Pankas and Gali Milman from the Center for Scientific Education in Tel Aviv and the XNUMXth Municipal and the Hebrew Gymnasium Herzliya in Tel Aviv.
- The perception of contexts and logical thinking among schizophrenics - the research work of Shira Ahisher, a student at Aharon Katzir High School in Rehovot.
The third place in the competition is jointly shared by three research works:
- • The computerized resuscitation kit for saving lives in a few minutes - the research of three: Ahmed Sharqiya, Nadim Shurbaji and Qassem Sharkaoui, students of Atid High School "Alahliyya" in Umm Al Fahm.
- Metallic nanocrystal networks as chemical sensors for pollutants in water - a project by Emily Elachhem, a student at "Ohel Shem" in Ramat Gan.
- The complex potential and its applications to dam planning - the research work of Amri Lesser, a student at the Israeli High School for Arts and Sciences in Jerusalem.
6 additional projects were commended.
Maxine Fabsberg, CEO of Intel Israel, and Vice President of Intel Global, states: "The high-tech and technology industry is not based on natural treasures, but on creative and thinking minds like those of the young scientists, the competition participants. At Intel we believe that in order to move the technological revolution forward and include the entire population in it, it is necessary to invest in schools, curricula and the community."
Mia Halevi, director of the Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem, believes in the ability and potential inherent in the competition's participants, who have knowledge, curiosity, a desire to explore and face intellectual challenges: "The works they prepared demonstrate this well. I am sure that from this group will emerge important scientists in various fields who will contribute greatly to the future of the State of Israel."
The 52 youth, from all over the country, participated in the "science race", researched, developed and invented projects in the fields of computers, social sciences, physics, natural and life sciences, technology and biotechnology, chemistry, environment, history and humanities. 120 works reached the final stage this year in the "Young Scientists and Developers in Israel 2009" competition.
The two young scientists Shahar Gevirtz and Yadid Algaoui qualified for first place, and won a study scholarship from the Intel company, which invests hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide in programs that promote technology and science education, and sponsors competitions for young scientists all over the world and especially in Israel. The young scientists who won the first places, represented Israel in the prestigious Intel ISEF competition of its kind in the world, held in the USA.
6 תגובות
Short Who was the student/teacher/doctor who helped them with the idea?
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A. Ben-Ner:
And what are the activities in question if not engaging in both education and research?
I would actually be surprised if what they said here is a real breakthrough turns out to be something that was already known.
To Michael R.
Unfortunately, in the field of education I do not believe in "artificial shortcuts" and "cosmetic presentations".
In my words, I did not mean to imply that the article is, as you say, "..a blatant lie.." But sometimes there is a tendency,
Especially in the media, to get confused "..between truth and exaggeration.." as Danny Sanderson's lovable and sarcastic poem (which I think is called "either yes or no") You will not be surprised if it turns out that the wording of the news for the article was drafted by the media consultants of Intel or the Science Museum or one or another professional spokesperson. In conclusion (end by the hour), please allow me to quote Prof. Avishi Braverman, but from yesterday, who was quoted in the press as saying: "The time has come for Israel to stop boasting about science and start investing money in education and research"
A. Ben-Ner:
Write here that they discovered new things. Use phrases like "real breakthrough" and the like. Your question is, then, whether the content of the article is true or an outright lie.
I don't think anyone involved in the process is a liar and I don't think there is any place for this kind of insinuation.
The issue of fostering excellence is an important element in building a functioning education system and enterprises of this type are not intended to cover the shame of the education system but to promote it. Unfortunately, the education system's support for this type of enterprise is minimal. One of my sons was a member (while studying in high school) of the Israeli physics team after winning second place in the Israeli Olympiad. I remember very well how the organizers of this blessed enterprise had to court investors to finance the training workshops and the trips because the state was not ready to invest anything.
If the method can be applied they deserve a reward, the proof
Will arrive if and when we see facilities that implement this method;
The problem with proof is that Israel has a lot of talent
(See desalination and electricity production from the sun's rays for example)
And too few investments for the benefit of the environment and residents.
I ask myself, are these discoveries or technological scientific developments "really" important?...or is it more a matter of: "a little commendation for outstanding high school students and a lot of good and cheap PR for Intel Israel and the Bloomfield Science Museum"?....
After all, knowledge shows that, for significant developments and discoveries, a higher education is required.
Is the education of the young students really sufficient for significant discoveries and developments?
Isn't this just an appearance of excellence?
And perhaps even worse, isn't this just an appearance that came to cover up the poor state of education, in large parts of the population?