MANILA, Philippines - Nine students from secondary schools across the country were selected from a field of thousands to represent the country in the upcoming Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college science research competition, to be held in Rio, Nevada on May 10-17, 2009.

The students selected to attend the ISEF had the top entries at the recently concluded Intel Philippine Science Fair (IPSF), which was held at the Subic Convention Center.

The IPSF is an annual event that gathers the best works in science research by Filipino secondary school students. Now in its 12th year, the IPSF is the work of a close partnership between Intel, a leading manufacturer of computer chips and microprocessors, and the Department of Education (DepEd). Some 3,500 high school students participated in this year’s IPSF.

There were 114 projects that qualified at the national level.

The primary objective of the IPSF is to encourage Filipino students to undertake science research and activities that develop creativity, analytical thinking and integrity.

The competition is one of the flagship components of Intel’s efforts in advancing education in the Philippines.

This year’s IPSF featured the theme “Nurturing the Genius Within.” Judges placed emphasis on how entries addressed real life problems.

The entries selected for the ISEF included works on inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, devising a visual program for teaching math to pre-school students, and the development of rice and corn wastes as alternative fuels.

“I hope this leads to more opportunities for my education,” said Jovani Tomale, a senior from the Davao City National High School, whose research on using a mathematical model to determine the sex of Philippine eagles was selected for presentation at the ISEF. “My dream is to grow up to become a doctor, but I come from a very humble background. I’ll need to grab every chance I get to show the world what I can do.”