IESL JIY competition
Winners to participate in Intel ISEF:
The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) has been conducting
the Junior Inventor of the Year (JIY) competition annually since 1987.
The competition is targeted at school children in the age group 12 - 20
years. Over the years it has gained popularity among the school children
islandwide.
Last year over 500 applications were received for this competition
which is aimed at promoting creative and innovative thinking amongst
school children. While preliminary competitions are conducted in the
provinces the final competition is held at the IESL headquarters at
Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7.
Through various awareness programs conducted in schools and
elsewhere, at times with the assistance of officials from the Education
Department, the children are made aware of the rules and procedures
related to the competition.
The winner of this competition would be awarded the title ‘Junior
Inventor of the Year’ presented with a gold medal, a cash prize and a
certificate. Twenty others who secure the first twenty places would also
be awarded medals, prizes and certificates. Some of the winners would be
entitled to scholarships, which will cover their university education as
well.
This is done to encourage young school goers to take up engineering
as a career. The awards are presented to the winners at the inauguration
of the Annual Sessions of the Institution in October every year. All
matters related to the competition are coordinated by a Steering
Committee of the Institution.
Due to the concerted efforts made by this Committee chaired by Eng. J
Meegoda, in streamlining the competition, in 2007 the competition gained
international recognition to get affiliated with the Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). Intel ISEF is the world’s
largest pre-college celebration of science held in May every year.
Through this affiliation, some of the winners of the JIY competition
get an opportunity every year to take part in the Intel ISEF conducted
in USA in the following year. All costs associated with their travel
including air fare, accommodation and meals would be borne by Intel.
These students before taking part in the overseas competition are
required to attend training sessions organized by the IESL in
association with the Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa,
The Intel ISEF provides an opportunity for the best of the world’s
young scientists and inventors to come together to share their ideas,
showcase their cutting edge science and engineering projects and win
awards and scholarships.
Intel ISEF will be held from May 10-15, in Reno, Nevada, USA.
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