Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars), the premier middle school science and engineering fair competition, has named two semifinalists who received awards in the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH).
Rehman Buksh Memon, a 7th grade student from Harmony Science Academy West Houston in Katy, was nominated by SEFH judges to compete in the Broadcom MASTERS for his project titled “Stray Current Mitigation in Light Rail DC Systems.”
Jennifer Sophia Lin, an 8th grade student from T. H. Rogers Education Center in Port St. Lucie, was nominated by SEFH judges to compete in Broadcom MASTERS for her project titled “Fighting Breast Cancer Using Anthrax Toxin.”
The Broadcom MASTERS semifinalists were chosen from the top 10 percent of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who competed in science fairs nationwide. Only 300 semifinalists were selected from a pool of more than 6,000 nominees from fairs across the U.S.
The next step in the Broadcom MASTERS takes place on September 2, 2015 when 30 finalists will be selected from the 300 semifinalists. Finalists and one parent or guardian will receive an all-expense paid trip to Silicon Valley, California to attend the Broadcom MASTERS Finals Week competition from October 1 to 7, 2015. Finalists will present their research and compete in hands-on challenges for top prizes, including funds to attend a STEM summer camp, iPads, and the Samueli Prize of $25,000.
Memon, whose project tackled a common problem with stray electrical currents in light rail transit systems, said that being a part of SEFH was “humbling and awe-inspiring.”
“It was very encouraging to be part of the SEHF, and to be narrowed down as a semifinalist for the Broadcom MASTERS. Such opportunities give students like me the incentive to work toward a goal and reach for the higher bar,” he said.
Although Memon said he was very excited to be named a semifinalist for Broadcom MASTERS, he is also looking forward to seeing the ingenious projects that the top 30 finalists came up with.
“I can’t wait to learn more about the other 30 projects that were considered the top in the nation. I would like to learn in detail about each of those winning projects,” Memon said.
Memon said he is currently debating whether to pursue electrical engineering or medicine in college, although he remains intrigued by careers in finance and law. Memon is currently in his first semester as an 8th grade student, and said he looks forward to narrowing down his career options during high school.
Lin said that she began her SEFH project with a lofty goal in mind: “I wanted to come up with a method to cure breast cancer,” she said. Knowing that cancer cells are prone to being killed by bacterial cells, Lin set out to discover a new treatment for breast cancer using the anthrax toxin in different doses to identify the best drug combination for increasing tumor-killing capacity.
Although she was nervous walking into the UH Alumni Center on the first day of the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston, Lin said that those fears melted away quickly after she began conversing with the judges and fellow competitors.
“I entered the room and found it buzzing with excitement. It was definitely a chance to make amazing friends. All of the judges were also extremely professional and gave a lot of great feedback,” she said.
Upon hearing the news that she was named a Broadcom MASTERS semifinalist, Lin said she was “bouncing everywhere around my house,” adding that the feeling was “absolutely surreal.” Lin said she looks forward to representing the city of Houston as a semifinalist in Broadcom MASTERS.
“I am very thankful for all of the opportunities SEFH has given me,” Lin said. “This competition truly is for anyone out there who has an idea that can change the world.”
Lin wants to pursue medicine in college and hopes to become a surgeon. Her advice to other young STEM scholars is to pursue their scientific ideas in local science and engineering fairs.
“I feel that anyone who has a new scientific or engineering idea should participate in science and engineering fairs. If you live in or near the Houston area, SEFH is a great opportunity to showcase your ideas,” Lin said.