Wellington, New Zealand – Two bright sparks from Wellington are packing their bags for an adventure across the Pacific. Jesse Rumball-Smith from Wellington College and Isabelle Aduna from Wellington Girls’ College have earned the honour of representing New Zealand at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio, this May.

The Young Scientists

Jesse, a Year 13 student, has created a smartphone app to nudge drivers towards safer habits. His project, “Driving Nudging Towards Zero: Technology to Reinforce Safe Driving,” aims to cut down risky driving by alerting users to speed or distractions. This innovation ties in with the national “Road to Zero” campaign, striving to reduce New Zealand’s road toll.

Picture source: RNZ

Isabelle, in Year 10, is tackling environmental issues with her project on sustainable energy. She transforms fruit and vegetable waste into dyes for solar cells, promoting both waste reduction and renewable energy. Her work not only fights food waste but also pushes for sustainable energy solutions.

Picture source: RNZ

The Journey to ISEF

However, getting to the U.S. isn’t cheap. Both students are working hard to raise around $30,000 for their trip. This opportunity is a rare one; they’re only the second Kiwi team to make it to this prestigious event, which is like the Olympics for young scientists.

What ISEF Means

ISEF brings together over 1800 students from about 75 countries, where they can win scholarships, internships, and cash prizes. The grand prize is a hefty $75,000 scholarship, and the fair is a hub for international collaboration and idea-sharing among future scientists.

Support from Back Home

The Wellington community, along with their schools, are all in for supporting these young innovators. Teachers and friends are proud of Jesse and Isabelle’s achievements, seeing this as a victory for New Zealand’s education system.

Looking Ahead

With excitement in the air, both students are gearing up for what lies ahead. Their participation could spark inspiration for many back home, showing that big ideas can come from young minds. 

Wrapping Up

Jesse and Isabelle stand on the brink of an incredible journey, one that might define their careers and contribute to global science. Their success story is a beacon of the potential within New Zealand’s youth, proving that when it comes to innovation, age is just a number.