They came They saw They will conquer Pakistan is blessed with immense talent. Over the years, the youth has portrayed the bright side of our nation by participating in various fields. They have proven time and again that they are capable and competent to challenge the top minds of the world.
They came
They saw
They will conquer
Pakistan is blessed with immense talent. Over the years, the youth has portrayed the bright side of our nation by participating in various fields. They have proven time and again that they are capable and competent to challenge the top minds of the world.
Every year, students from Pakistan are shortlisted to represent their country at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in USA. First these students compete at the district level in their respective categories. The winners then battle at the provincial level to qualify for the national stage. These champions then fight to reach the international level where they have to compete with the students from all over the world.
Following are the extraordinary young scientists who have qualified as the grand winners from Pakistan and are going to showcase their projects along with 1700 students from 70 other participating countries at the Intel ISEF 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Category: Individual
Subject: Energy and transportation
Name: Habab Idrees, Dewan Dayaram Jethmal Sindh Government Science College, Karachi
Project title: Multi-Purpose Smart Solar System
Habab Idrees is an intermediate student and studying pre-engineering. He is also a member of Pakistan Science Club, a non-profit science society. Since childhood, he had a knack for science and when other kids would watch cartoons on television, he used to watch science shows. It was his childhood dream to make a name for himself in the world of science and one day become capable of rendering his services to make this planet a better living place.
Habab says he has been extended full cooperation by Pakistan Science Club, where he developed his skills and worked on this project. Abdul Rauf, President Pakistan Science Club, has been a great mentor for him and he never discouraged him during times of failure.
His prime focus was to make a device that has a low cost, works on free energy and can replace all other solar devices. The temperature of the multi-purpose smart solar system can be raised and maintained with respect to its surrounding. This revolutionary device works on renewable energy; hence, it is eco-friendly. It is cost-effective and works on the basic phenomenon of physics like Greenhouse Effect, Reflection, Conduction and Insulation. This system can be used as a solar drier, solar oven, solar geyser, and it can also be used to increase the production of biogas in winter. This device is smart because it synchronizes the motion of reflecting flaps with the movement of sun, which can also be controlled through MIT inverter’s android application.
His father has supported him morally and financially throughout this time and this project has cost him Rs 5,000. Habib is confident that despite facing stiff competition at the Intel ISEF competition in the US, he is going to make Pakistan proud with his invention.
Category: Individual
Subject: Medicine and Health Sciences
Name: Shadab Rasool Buriro, Pak Turk International Schools and Colleges, Khairpur
Project title: Life without Mosquitoes Using Organic Garlic Spray
Shadab is a pre-medical student. He was encouraged to participate at the Intel Provincial Science Fair by his school, which was held in Karachi, where he won in the category of best individual award for his project ‘Life without Mosquitoes Using Organic Garlic Spray.’ He made it to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair after being declared grand winner for the same project at the Intel National Science Fair, which took place in Islamabad in January, 2015. 
Mosquito bites can be deadly and no proper spray drives are launched in his district. He wanted to come up with a cost-effective solution which could benefit people, and could be adopted as a global answer to this problem.
Shadab says he conducted an intensive research to turn the smell of garlic used in the making of the spray into a pleasant one. He made it possible by creating a mixture of garlic juice and ester. The spray is one of its kind because it is non-toxic with no side effects at all.
“I want to especially thank my Chemistry teacher, who proposed the idea to work on this project and showed faith in me. Without his support and assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to come this far.”
Shadab says he had never thought about presenting his project in front of the exceptional minds of the world, but he is poised to make a huge impact with his presentation.
Category: Group
Subject: Environmental sciences
Group members: Amir Hussain Khan, Ali Ahmed Khan, and Kiran Karim, Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi
Project title: Effect of chicken manure and mineral fertilizers (NPK) on plant grown in lead contaminated soil
Amir Hussain Khan, Ali Ahmed Khan and Kiran Karim, who are pre-medical students, heard about the Intel ISEF at their college for the first time and decided to take part. The competition sounded exciting and challenging when they heard about the stages they had to go through to reach to the finals. Therefore, to secure their place in the competition, these fellows decided to work on something totally different: the effect of chicken manure and mineral fertilizers (NPK) on plants grown in lead contaminated soil.
“Pollution of the natural environment by heavy metals is a worldwide problem because these metals are indestructible and most of them have toxic effects on living organisms,” explains Amir when asked how his team came up with this topic. “To get into the depth of the topic, Ali and I decided to visit industrial areas.”
The two found a large tract of land around various industries in Karachi to be barren because of the accumulation of heavy metals in soil which significantly resisted the growth of plants. “To figure what restricted the growth and number of plants in these areas, we took a few samples along and got them tested. The results showed that the fewer plants that could grow in that contaminated land had a high content of lead in them,” shares Amir. What worried the team about the high concentration of lead in these areas was that the cattle would feed on these plants and then in turn humans would feed on the same cattle, which is quite harmful as it could easily enter the food chain and cause serious health issues.
To overcome this problem, the team established suitable application dosage of these materials for amending the lead contaminated soil and stunned the judges with their outstanding research and solutions.
The team, which is competing at an international level, have high hopes of winning the competition.
“For me, being an Intel ISEF finalist is the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. The competition at the national level was intense, but I met with some incredible young future scientists of Pakistan. We learned so much from them which I believe will help us to outshine among other contenders from around the world at the finals. This journey would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of our teachers and parents,” concludes Amir.
Category: Individual
Subject: Computer Science
Name: Muhammad Ahsan Nawaz, Punjab Group of Colleges, Mailsi
Project title: External PC Ports Identity Card
Ahsan is a student of grade 12 and is studying pre-engineering. He belongs to a poor family. To support his family financially, he started working at a hardware store at an early age. The idea for this project originated when he saw the thumb verification machine of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). He wanted to invent an external PC ports identity card through which a USB flash drive can only be accessed after the verification of its owner. 
This project is a hardware device which is connected between computer, motherboard and external ports. It has no link with Personal Computer, Operating System or Bios and therefore it cannot be hacked with the aid of any software in the world. To access data in the USB, a unique pass code has to be entered in the form of an audio file. It gives protection to keyboard and mouse when the operation is in process and also prevents the PC from any intrusion. The device can also lock/unlock ports through Bluetooth or headphone plug-in jack. It is also equipped with the feature of manually changing password.
Ahsan’s project is the size of a mobile phone, but it can be reduced. It took him almost two years to complete his creation.
“Nobody has really helped me with my work. My college only appreciated me when I succeeded in qualifying for the Intel ISEF’s International competition. I have been through difficult times in my life and I want to make this opportunity count. I am skipping my intermediate exams to participate in the competition, and I have requested my college to appeal to the Board of Examination to allow me appear in the exams when I return from the US; however, my college has paid no heed to my problem. It is a great privilege for me to represent Pakistan at an international forum, and I will do my best to emerge victorious by showcasing my project. I would really like to plead to the government of Pakistan to help kids like me, who are in dire need of financial assistance and wish to serve Pakistan,” says Ahsan.
Category: Group
Subject: Environmental engineering
Group members: Aurangzeb Ahmed, Syed Ali Ahsen Muhammad Jafry, and Tohami Bin Shafiq, Beaconhouse School System, Valencia Town, Lahore
Project title: Power car - generation of electricity using the rotational effect of vehicle’ wheel and its alternator
After the summer vacations last year, the trio - Aurangzeb Ahmed, Syed Ali Ahsen Muhammad Jafry, and Tohami Bin Shafiq volunteered for the Intel ISEF. Keeping in mind the problem of power outages in the country, the group planned to resolve this vital issue. Therefore, with the help of their teachers, and due to lack of time and funds, they presented a hypothesis on ‘Power car - generation of electricity using the rotational effect of the vehicle’s wheels and alternator.’ “Although, it was just a hypothesis, the judges saw our determination and innovation in our idea, thus we were promoted to the national level competition,” informs Aurangeb, who is now the team leader.
At the national level, they were the highest scoring team and were the Grand Winners.
The aims of their project are to utilize the previously wasted energy and channel that excess electricity to a battery pack installed in the boot of the car. By running the car all day, the battery pack will be charged. “Once the battery pack is charged, the stored electricity is passed through an inverter to power our home,” explains Aurangzeb.
For the practical implementation, the team has used four sources. The first source includes the rotational effect of the vehicle’s wheels which will be converted into a generator. Hence, whenever the vehicle will move, electricity will be generated which would be used to charge the batteries in the boot. The second source is the car’s alternator which runs continuously when the car is switched on.
The next source includes the solar cells and wind turbine. The turbine will be installed on the roof and wind micro-motors will be installed on various parts of the car. Hence, the turbines would not increase air resistance.
The final source includes the Peltier tiles. These tiles will be installed on the bonnet and the steering wheel which will produce electricity by charging the batteries. As these sources are eco-friendly, it can be used in public buses and cars.
The trio, which is facing other competitors from around the world, are very positive about their victory.
“If things work out the way we have planned, we will definitely come home as the winners,” concludes Aurangzeb with full zeal and enthusiasm.
Today’s the last day of ISEF 2015, and we hope and pray that our young scientists are among the winners of this great fair. Good Luck!
