Hello all! It's been so busy I didn't have a chance to update you yesterday. I'll be brief about the cool things going on...we had two more awesome person join us Morgan (an ISEF alumni like Chris!) and caught up with Ms. Marion, another chaperon.
First of all, on Monday was a house keeping day...we set up displays, did alot of walking, then attended the Opening Ceremony at night. The Opening Ceremony was AWESOME. It begin with the performers from STOMP drumming out some powerful tunes on their garbage cans of all sizes. I am so inspired to go home and duct tape our trash cans together, cut out pcv pipes, and start a trash can band! (Phil start cleaning out the trash cans!) We were then joined by the host of Effin' Science (with experiments that no teacher would EVER allow you to perform - required a fire truck for safety.) and the CEO of DreamWorks Animation (The producers of SHREK, KUNG FU PANDA and THE LION KING). They both focused on the importance of science and technology in their industry. I found the CEO especially interesting when he explained that much of the work behind animation deals not only with technology but also with FLUID DYNAMICS (the PHYSICS of motion). Think about it there is a BUNCH OF PHYSICS in those movies I just listed! (I cried during the Lion King...just like Bambi...so sad I'm tearing up now! And when you have a baby be careful how you hold them. Don't go waving him/her in the air even if they are a King!) I digress...
On Tuesday I went to various SYMPOSIUMS (fancy word for meetings) one on protecting your ideas with PATENTS and the other on presenting to judges. Caroline...I've got some really cool stuff to tell you!!!
The highlight of the day with a Discussion Panel with 6 Nobel Prize Laureates: Michael Bishop (Medicine - 1989), Martin Chalfie (CHEMISTRY- 2008), Dudley Herschbach (CHEMISTRY -1986), Robert Horvits- 2002), Douglous Osheroff (Physics- 1996), and Sir Richard Roberts (Medicine-1993).
Their message:
1.The most important thing in their lives: THEIR FAMILIES,
2.Work hard for your passions and don't let others destroy your dreams (lots of critics out there!),
3.We ALL make mistakes - just start again!
These men were funny and so humble. They looked like a bunch of sweet grampas! I even thought about running up and giving them a big bear hug but I thought that could present some problems with security.
We took pictures with them afterword. I spoke to Sir Richard Roberts and got his autograph. We shared some scientific ideas and he said he'd shoot me an email next week so we can talk further. Maybe we'll do lunch? ( I didn't ask him about the Royal Wedding but should have!) Some of the other Nobel Prize winners asked me if I wanted to go shoot pool but I told them I was going to get coffee with Chris and Gabby. They understood.
At night we went to LA Live to socialize. LA Live is an open area with a bunch HUGE screens surrounded with restaurants and shops. It is the location of STAPLE STADIUM (where the LA Lakers play basketball...orange ball/hoop). The Conga Room...BaBaLoo...
Later that night we went back to our hotel to practice the science fair presentations. I am so humbled by the great students we are traveling with. They are so smart! Their projects are SOOOOOO awesome. Mohan and Dileep's project deals with "minimizing" symptoms associated with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. Chris with engineering energy efficient rail lines. Andrew with genetically engineering a new strand of rice for harsh environmental conditions. Morgan with doping metals to make them better conductors and more energy efficient. (Gabby - pH conditions and marine life...she is an observer THIS time.)
These students have beautiful minds and hearts. We could not ask for a nicer group of students to take to ISEF!!!! I wish them all the best today in their judging! Actually, I've made many biffles while here in LA. Kristy, Dr. Raj, and Doug are like family! (No one can replace my Chem Biffle...Ashley!)
GOT to go for now. The adventure continues! XOXOX
