Day 7 - Grand Awards Day ... Friday May 18, 2012

O Canada ... what a day!.  Rumours says that this is one of the best showing of a Team from Canada.  Definitely, it's got to be one of what is the best day for an individual Canadian student.  Nicholas Ben Shieffer of YSC from Pickering just kicked butt!

Here are the final results from the GRAND AWARDS

Top 2,3 ($50,000 Scholarship)
     Nicholas Schieffer           YSC Pickering

Best IN Category ($5,000 + $1,000 to school + $1,000 to Fair Affiliate)
     Nicholas Schieffer           YSC Pickering             Computer Science
     Adam S                          YSC London               Earth and Planetary Sciences
     Adam Nobles                 YSC Lakehead            Environmental Management

SIYSS (Trip to London, England for .....)
     Adam Nobles                 YSC Lakehead

First Place ($3,000)


     Nicholas Schief               YSC Pickering            Computer Science
     Adam S                          YSC London               Earth and Planetary Sciences
     Adam Nobles                 YSC Lakehead            Environmental Management
     Chris                              YSC Calgary               Engineering - Electrical and Mechanical


Second Place ($1,500)


     Eunice                            Team Montreal             Environmental Science
     Rui                                 YSC Saskatoon            Plant Sciences


Third Place ($1,000)


     Marsahl Tsang                YSC Markham            Biochemistry
     Sarthak                          YSC Calgary               Medicine and Health
     Yichen                            YSC Richmond           Medicine and Health
     Sruti                               YSC Mississauga         Microbiology
     Dheveesh                       YSC  Mississauga        Energy and Transportation


Fourth Place ($500)


     Christina Ding                YSC Waterloo            Medicine and Health
     Sandro Young               YSC Ottawa               Computer Science
     Lauren Reid                   YSC Uxbridge            Energy and Transportation

Day 6 - Public Viewing and Special Awards Day ... Thursday May 17, 2012

to come

TEAM CANADA SPECIAL AWARDS

1.  American Association for Clinical Chemistry Award

               2nd place                Yichen                     $     500
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222013212
2.  American Geosciences Institute Award

               1st place                 Adam S                   $  1,000
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222009908/in/photostream/
3.  American Statistical Association Award

               3rd place                Nick Schieffer          $     750
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222009636/in/photostream/
4.  Association for Computing Machinery Award

               3rd place                Nick Schieffer          $     300
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222011734/in/photostream/
5.  CERN Award

                                             Nick Schieffer          all expense week trip to CERN
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222010784/in/photostream/
6.  CERN Award

                                             Chris                         ll expense week trip to CERN
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222010784/in/photostream/
7.  Google Award

                                             Nick Schieffer           $10,000
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222008606/in/photostream/
8.  Krishanmurtly Scumyanath Memorial Award

                1st place                Chris                        $  3,000
               http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222008200/in/photostream/
9.  Monsanto Award

                2nd place               Rui Song                  $  1,000
                http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222007784/in/photostream/
10.  United Tech Corporation Award

                                              Nick Schieffer          $  3,000 + common stock
                http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222007312/in/photostream/
11.  United Tech Corporation Award

                                              Chris                        $  3.000 + common stock
                http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/7222007312/in/photostream/

Day 5 - Judging Day ... Wednesday May 16, 2012

Judging Day started at 7:15 am and all of the kids showed up neatly dressed in their Sunday best in Cathy's and Ingrid's room for breakfast.  To reduce the unnecessary stress of having to rush to ABP and then wait for each individual's orders, it was decided that Stef and I would go to ABP at 6:30 am and bring back light breakfast items back to the hotel and serve the kids there.  Experience from past fairs suggested a light breakfast was optimal preparation.


At the same time, Stef and I dropped by at Jimmy John's, a gourmet sandwich eatery and placed an order for everyone's pre-ordered subs.  We were going to pick up the sandwiches and have them ready along with drinks and fruit at the Convention Centre for the kids when they exited from Judging at noon.  Again, this was done to avoid the stress of having gather everyone together and process them all at some eatery.

At the same time, Stef and I dropped by at Jimmy John's, a gourmet sandwich eatery and placed an order for everyone's pre-ordered subs.  We were going to pick up the sandwiches and have them ready along with drinks and fruit at the Convention Centre for the kids when they exited from Judging at noon.  Again, this was done to avoid the stress of having gather everyone together and process them all at some eatery

.As such, a non-rushed trip to the Convention Centre got the kids there well in advance of the 8:15 am target.  The first judging session starts at 8:30 am sharp. At every 15 minute intervals, a bell rings to signal judges to start their next assigned judging session, regardless if the participant had finished their presentation or not.  During the 15 minute session, an interim bell rings at the 10 minute mark to signal that in 2 more minutes the judges are to move onto their next session.  Our kids were advised to keep their presentations to an approximate 10 minutes, thereby leaving about 2 minutes for engaging the judges for discussion and any Q&A.

Day 4 - Symposium and Adult Mixer Day ... Tuesday May 15, 2015

Tuesday was going to be a touristy day but plans changed when it was discovered that VIPSs were visiting the projects between 10 am and noon.  Cathy recalled that the chief of Intel had met Ben Gulak during Ben's fair and interest of his Uno began to circulate.  Believing that the right VIP might initiate interest and directions of judges, it was wisely decided that the kids should be at their projects.

So after a hasty breakfast at you know where (ABP, code name for "Au Bon Pain"), we all headed for the Convention Centre.  While waiting for the kids, Cathy was diligently trying to find a date for her new friend Barbie Science Girl.  She accompanied Cathy for this fair in hope of learning the ropes for future fairs.  You will have to ask Cathy what special category she is in.

At the fair, Cathy tried to set Barbie up with any scientist ... it just happened that her first attempt was with a prominent Nobel laureate (1989?), Dr. J. Michael Bishop.  He was on his way to a luncheon at which three of our students (Marshal, Lloyd and Nick) attended.

I could not recall how lunch was served for the rest of us but rest assured that the kids did not go hungry.  Schedule was tight as we rushed back to the Convention Centre to be in time for the 2-4 pm Symposium with a Panel of 8 Nobel laureates.  They answered and discussed questions and topics moderated by a science correspondent.  At the end, they took time to answer specific questions from selected students ... again, Marshal, Lloyd and Nick particpated.

A funny thing ... I swore that one of the Nobel laureates sitting on the panel was perhaps our Peter Olynk's long lost twin, or perhaps, maybe Peter himself, moonlighting as a scientist.  Take a look ... even the name tag says Peter Olynk!

Later on, Peter even took time to talk to a few of our kids.  Here, he's with Nick, Marshal, Chris and JM.

Kiddings aside, as I learned from the kids later, Peter is actually Martin Chalfie, 2008 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry for his discovery of GFE (is that right, kids?)

No dinner was necessary for the evening as the whole team and chaperones proceeded to an scheduled event where the chaperones/adults were separated from the kids.  The adults were treated to a buffet dinner of chicken, fish, salad and alcoholic beverages (none of us had any??????????) held at the Heinz Field private boxes catering area.  We were royally treated and had an opportunity to see the field where the venerable Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers play their football..  The kids on the otherhand were cordoned off at some other nearby facility where they were fed and dj'ed to dance.  Several however, were anxious to leave hoping to get back to the hotel to practise more on their presentation for tomorrow.  Just could not relax.  Eventually, we all got back to the hotel, had our usual team meeting at our special team room and were instructed to curfew early (11 pm) and get up early (7:15 am) and ready for the Judgement Day (oh sorry, Judging Day)

And oh yes, I did not learn till later how we were able to travel on the Pittsburgh subway without paying.  When transporting the whole crew to Heinz Field, we all just jumped onto the Pittsburgh subway cars and never once did we see a fare attendant.  Wow, I said socialized transportation.  I later found out that there are "free" zones on the system ... but I am still not sure as to how it works.  Our "Canadian" pride took on visible evidence because we were one of the few teams that were uniformed ... therefore, when our Red entourage traveled about, we got lots of looks of curiosity.

Day 3 - Symposium and Opening Day ... Monday May 14, 2012

Monday morning, the Montreal team of three (Meagan, Mingsha and Eunice) having just arrived late Sunday, proceeded to do their project set-up.  Team YSC and Team BASEF had a relatively late (8 am) breakfast at a spot called the "au bon pain", loosely translated by my friend Jean Michele from Montreal as "good bed".(...oops, corrected "good bread")

All of the chaperones had a morning schedule of listening to the kids presentations in order to receive a little coaching/recommendations.  I listened to six and I am floored by their high level of knowledge and their smooth delivery.  These kids aren't kids when it comes to science; some work are senior University level research.

Right after, it was lunch.  Stef had booked reservations at the Smithville restarurant (spelling?) and Ben Gulak was suppose to be there to meet the kids.  Unfortunately, Ben could not make it and to make matters worst, the food was terrible.  Let it be known that Team Canada is not going to patronize there again.  Cathy missed all of this having had to attend a morning of Advisory meetings at ISEF.

For the afternoon, it was decided that it would be beneficial for all of the team to attend a symposium on Judging at IISEF.  It was a good investment of time as we all got clearer messages on what the time restrictions for the presentations are. After the symposium, it was back to the hotel to wind down and get ready for the Opening Ceremony.  Because much of this writing is after the fact and subject to recall errors, I am not sure how dinner was achieved.  But I am sure we ate somehow.  .... Oh yes, I just remembered.  There was a huge buffet of chicken, fish, salad, rice and vegetables at the Convention Centre.  I am not sure if all ate well but I surely did.  The dessert table was endless.  Needless to say, so was my waistline after.

The Opening Ceremony was held at the Convention Centre in a huge open area.  The atmosphere was electric and our TEAM CANADA did not disappoint in adding to it.  A bouncing CANADA Beach ball and a huge Canada Flag being paraded around the concourse by a several Team Canada members told everyone that Canada was there.  It was amazing to see how the enthusiasm and energy just kept on escalating.  Kids who I only saw as being quiet suddenly transformed themselves into patriotic Canadian zealots. But we were not alone.  Other countries were just as crazy.  While on the floor trying to take pictures, I actually got steamrolled by a train of South Korean fanatics ... I almost dropped my camera.

Entertainment was headlined by this eccentric musician name That1Guy (check his website, www.that1guy.com ).  He plays a mean Magic Pipe, a musical instrument that he designed that resembles advanced plumbing and appropriately scientific high pressure fittings.  Several Nobel laureates were introduced but I am embarrassed to say that I did not recognize one of them.  I made it a point to go to their Open Panel Discussion scheduled for Tuesday.  Three of our students are chosen to have a lunch with them and then to ask them a question.

The highlight of the ceremony, especially for Team Canada was the introduction of Ben Gulak as the Keynote Speaker.  Ben was a BASEF Alumna who I believe particpated at IISEF 2006 and 2007.  Ben was chosen as the lead speaker because I believe he embodies a new marketing message from IISEF to science students.  That new message is to attract young students to science with the entrepreneurial tangent.  Ben has taken his IISEF science projects (the Uno ... I will attach appropriate link later) to an incredible level of success of being pending commercial successes.

He came out looking pretty cool ... witness his sneaker shoes with his suit.  I was given this as the link that had the livestream of his speech (http://demo.livecast.com/isef2012HD# ).

A poignant moment came near the end when selected groups of each member country were announced on the big screen and then ran onto the stage carrying an identifying poster.  In the picture, Canada is to the far right.

Team Canada was definitely one of the most spirited teams; we remained one of the last team to leave the Hall.  A VIP named Wolfgang whom I was told was a CERN delegate who had supreme powers deciding who goes to work at CERN in Europe, actually spent a considerable amount of time with our team.  We have a posed picture with him as proof.

The evening ended with a posed picture with Ben Gulak and his family.  Tired but still excited, the team retired back to the hotel for our end of day "meeting".

Day 2 - Set-Up Day ... Sunday May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day ... I hope all our kids did the obvious.

Day 2 started with an early 7:30 am meeting in our designated Canada Meeting room just off the front foyer.  Stef, the Head Chaperone from YSC typically heads the meeting.  Because the chaperones were not able to find time to coordinate a more affordable breakfast venue due to yesterday's arrival, a decision was made to have breakfast at the Bigelow Grille, the hotel's restaurant.  Ouch $$$$$.  Don't worry Eleanor, we all have our receipts.

We are all told that the ISEF Fair is held at the Convention Centre and that it is only a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel.  Although there is a courtesy shuttle, everyone decided to make the trek to carry their projects to the Convention Centre.  By 9 am, everyone from the Team had made it over and proceeded to assemble their projects.  However, Dennis and Mangot had a SRC violation that necessitated a noon meeting with the SRC Review Board to address the violation.  As I approached the Convention Centre, I was astounded by the huge magnitude of this event; I have been at past CWSF and have enjoyed them but this INTEL ISEF is impressive and I am sure it makes the kids feel especially important as they begin their particpation.

We were all given our special badges and warned that its loss would carry a $200 replacement cost.  I immediately taped it to my neck (just kidding). TEAM CANADA is one of the earliest teams and consequently received a lot of open space to work within as they do their taping, cutting and assembling of their project.

Many of the kids worked together to help each other and this collective cooperation enabled our team to be all done assembled and safety checked by 1 pm or so.  Dennis and Mangot had pre-assembled their project, expecting that their SRC meeting would end up being resolved ... which it did.

The whole TEAM CANADA left at 2 pm, hungry and tired and proceeded to find a place for lunch ... pretty difficult on a Sunday that is also a Mother's Day.  It felt like Moses wandering in the desert but eventually we ended up in an area called Market Square that had a smorgasbord of eateries to cater to everyone's palate.

By 4 pm, we were all back at the Doubletree to freshen up and get ready for the Pin Trading event. It's much talked about and the chaperones warned that the Team is forbidden to trade their jackets.

We met up with the Team Montreal contingent led by chaperones Wilson and Gus.  Wilson was on his 23rd chaperone trip ... unbelievable and he does look older than 40.  Gus, well he's a venerable looking fella ... best way to describe him is that he looks like exactly like Albert Einstein.  I will have to get a side by side picture comparison for all to see.

The Pin Trading event was being held at the luxury Westin, a grand looking hotel connected to the Convention Centre. The kids proceeded to an area where between 7-9 pm, they would be fed and then encouraged to trade their pins for other's countrys' and state fair pins.

The chaperones were in for a real nice surprise.  Ben Gulak, a BASEF and ISEF alumna (2004, 2006, 2007) was to be the keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony and he was to meet our group for dinner.  I sat next to Ben and had a delightful evening.  He said he was a little nervous for his speech but he did not show it.  Ben came accompanied with a lady friend who is quite easy on the eyes.

Here's a lovely story to beat our chest on.  When Stef was trying to book a table for dinner at the Westin Hotel restaurant, we were initially told that it was going to be at least a 45 minutes.  But when they learned that we were the delegation from Team Canada (I don't know who dropped that on the hostess), we were immediately led to a very prominent table.  Sure puffs up our chests a little.

By 10 pm, we were all back at the Doubletree, some with pin-laden lanyards.  Stef and Cathy had their end of day summation at our Team Canada meeting "room" and reminded us of our curfew and of the 8 am start for the next day.

Day One - Travel day ... Saturday May 12, 2012

Sorry all.  Being a rookie chaperone, I have been slow to get the blog running and I am writing this after the fact.  But I did get the Flickr website up and have posted all of the pics to date (http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/sets/72157629686661958/).  So here goes.

Cathy and I met at the Burlington GO station as planned for 10:30 am. The first thing that Cathy did was gave me was an envelope with $300 US and written on it, "Get the Receipts".  Nothing ever changes ... I get the same envelope at home as well.

Our Team members Eisha, Camilla, Dennis and Mangot were all on time.  Soon the big TEAM CANADA bus rolled in ... hugs and kisses were exchanged between parents and kids, likely with promises to call home to wish the Moms a "Happy Mother's Day for tomorrow.  Luggage and project displays were all loaded.  However, the 10:30 am departure was held up when a flat tire on the bus was discovered.  In a way that was a nice mishap because it prompted the unloading of TEAM YSC while we waited for a tire repair truck.  It was a much easier process to have the kids from TEAM BASEF meet and mingle with the 19 kids from TEAM YSC.  It was a convenient way to do the meet and greet.  We also met the TEAM YSC chaperones, Stefane, Kartik, Si Yue and familiar face Ingrid from BASEF.  I learned that Stef, Kartik and Si Yue were all prior members and winners of previous TEAM ISEF/CANADA.  These kids are so lucky to have such knowledgeable chaperones.

What was anticipated as a temporary delay ended up as a prolonged wait of almost 3-4 hours.  Consequently, a need for lunch ended up with a visit to the McDonalds in an adjacent Walmart.  Although some did succumb to the allure of McDonald foods, many purchased their own healthy foods from the Walmarts grocery section.  (parents cheer)

By 2 pm or so, the bus was finally repaired and on its way.  Or so we thought.  At the US border, our bus was pulled over for a DOT check ... at least another hour delay.  At the same time, our whole bus was emptied and each and everyone of us were paraded by 4 US Customs officer.  Luckily no problems,  all formalites were met and we were on our way.  Pittsburgh, here we come.

In the back of my mine, I am brought to think that unfortunate events often happen in three's.  So I am told. Well, first the tire, then Customs ... what was to be the third delay?  Luckily, nothing unfortunate happened.  Many slept here and there and friendly banter was abundant.  Kids these days ... music seem to be a common denominator to their dialogue and interests.

With a 6:30 pm stop at a Subways for "dinner", the bus finally arrived at 8:30 pm at our destination in Pittsburg ... just a 4-5 hour delay.  The downtown Doubletree Hilton was a welcoming site.Check-ins were smooth and everyone was settled and told that curfew was midnight (I think) with a morning meeting for breakfast scheduled for 7:30 am.