Ron Neuman, age 16, a senior at the Ohel Shem high school in Ramat Gan, Israel, was a second-place (honorable mention) winner in a competition sponsored by NASA at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Ron, along with fellow high-schooler Ayelet Avush, attended the international competition in Ohio in March accompanied by Maya Halevi, director of the Bloomfield Museum. The museum organized participation in the competition under the auspices of Intel Israel and the Ministry of Education.
Ron's research involved building phosphorous genetically-engineered microbic sensors to monitor acute poisons in water. As was written in the introduction to Ron's project: "Since the events of September 11, world consciousness has been raised about the need for national preparedness in the event that sources of water are poisoned, and to develop modern technologies to monitor water sources. My research is part of a joint project by Israeli academic institutions, the Ministry of Health, and the Israel Defense Forces, and is funded by the US Defense Department's research agency." The goal of the research is to "program" the bacteria to respond to poisons in the water by synthesizing fluorescent protein. The Jewish Agency' s Global Jewish Agenda, noted that "[in] addition to the scientific importance of the research, it has important social ramifications: the technology is intended in case of a national water crisis, as happened a year ago when high levels of ammonia disrupted water distribution to 2 million people in the Dan region."
The ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition and it provides an opportunity for the best young scientists to share ideas, showcase cutting-edge science projects, and compete for over $3 million in awards and scholarships. 1,300 youth from 45 countries took part in the March competition. ISEF sponsorship is one of Intel's continuing efforts to advance science, math, and engineering education, which includes the sponsorship of similar programs and competitions throughout the world, and particularly in Israel.
Ron's research involved building phosphorous genetically-engineered microbic sensors to monitor acute poisons in water. As was written in the introduction to Ron's project: "Since the events of September 11, world consciousness has been raised about the need for national preparedness in the event that sources of water are poisoned, and to develop modern technologies to monitor water sources. My research is part of a joint project by Israeli academic institutions, the Ministry of Health, and the Israel Defense Forces, and is funded by the US Defense Department's research agency." The goal of the research is to "program" the bacteria to respond to poisons in the water by synthesizing fluorescent protein. The Jewish Agency' s Global Jewish Agenda, noted that "[in] addition to the scientific importance of the research, it has important social ramifications: the technology is intended in case of a national water crisis, as happened a year ago when high levels of ammonia disrupted water distribution to 2 million people in the Dan region."
The ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition and it provides an opportunity for the best young scientists to share ideas, showcase cutting-edge science projects, and compete for over $3 million in awards and scholarships. 1,300 youth from 45 countries took part in the March competition. ISEF sponsorship is one of Intel's continuing efforts to advance science, math, and engineering education, which includes the sponsorship of similar programs and competitions throughout the world, and particularly in Israel.