Wellington students win big at world’s oldest and largest science fair

Isabelle Aduna (L) with NIWA chief scientist oceans Dr Mike Williams at the NIWA Wellington Regional Science Fair in 2024.
Photo: Supplied / NIWA

Two Wellington students have won major awards at the world’s oldest and largest science fair, held in the United States.

The pair competed against nearly 2000 students from 70 countries at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Ohio.

Wellington College Year 13 student Jesse Rumball-Smith took out first place in the behavioural and social sciences category for a smartphone app he developed that detects road risks and helps promote safer driving.

Jesse Rumball-Smith.
Photo: Supplied / NIWA

Wellington Girls’ College Year 11 student Isabelle Aduna won third place in the chemistry section for her project that used fruit and vegetable waste as natural dyes for sustainable solar cells.

Science educator Amanda Hood said she hoped the success of the first New Zealand team to take part in the prestigious event would inspire other students to enter their upcoming regional science and technology fairs.

She backed the establishment of a national science fair so top students could qualify directly for the international event.

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