Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Winners from the International Science and Engineering Fair 2018 (Intel ISEF 2018) were announced on May 17th at the convention center, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and one local high school student, Seamus Cleary, won a Special Award. Cleary is a student of Pacific Horizons.

He won the Third Award of $500 from the American Geosciences Institute. AGI was founded in 1948, under a directive of the National Academy of Sciences, as a network of associations representing geoscientists with a diverse array of skills and knowledge of our planet.

Please see the link for special awards ISEF 2018: https://www.societyforscience.org/content/press-room/intel-international-science-and-engineering-fair-2018-special-award-winners

American Samoa’s delegation to ISEF included three student competitors/ finalists, three student observers, and a teacher chaperone.

The finalists were Gloria Park and Seamus Cleary of Pacific Horizons School, and DaIn Myung of South Pacific Academy. They were the top overall winners from the local Island-Wide Science Fair held in March.

The observers were Carl Balauro of Fa’asao Marist High School, Meida Linn of Pacific Horizons, and Shobita Rajamohan of South Pacific Academy. Jhoanna Dizon from Pacific Horizons was the teacher chaperone.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of Society for Science & The Public (SSP), is the world's largest international pre-college science competition. It is considered the premier global science competition for students in grades 9–12. The fair was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the week of May 13–19, sponsored by Intel.

Approximately 1,700 high school students from more than 75 countries, regions and territories showcased their independent research as they competed for approximately $4 million in prizes.

DOE- Office of Curriculum and Instruction’s Science and Health Division acknowledges the support and assistance provided by the Department of Education, American Samoa Government and all the supporters of science for making it possible for the students to continue competing at the national level.

They also wish to acknowledge all the sponsors of the local Science Fair: Paramount Builders, Bluesky Communications, Department of Commerce, ASTCA, Manua’s, Neil's ACE Home Center, ASPA, Mabuhay Travel, and judges, for allowing them to continue implementing this special project for the students of American Samoa, preparing them for international competition. 

Congratulations young scientists!