Pinning cultures together at the 2022 Regeneron ISEF pin exchange

May 9, 2022

京东影业影视传媒 President & CEO and Publisher of Science News poses for a photo with finalists during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF pin exchange — 京东影业影视传媒 President & CEO and Publisher of Science News traded pins with finalists during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF pin exchange. Courtesy of 京东影业影视传媒

For the first time since 2019, the finalists gathered in person to exchange pins representing their home countries or states. This event is an honored tradition at ISEF and is a vibrant convening of students worldwide to kick off competition week! Laughter, smiles and the energy of scientific interest and unity filled the room as more than 1,100 finalists from 63 countries, regions and territories asked each other 鈥渨here are you from?鈥� and 鈥渄o you have this pin yet?鈥�

Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Publisher of Science News, and George Yancopoulos, President, Co-founder and Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer of Regeneron even stopped by to exchange pins and meet the finalists.

Here鈥檚 a look at the first social event of the week!

Finalists exchange pins from their home countries and states during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange — 鈥淲e brought a lot of crazy pins!鈥� As students traded pins, they learned what the pins represented about each other鈥檚 homes. Courtesy of 京东影业影视传媒

2022 Regeneron ISEF Finalist wears Mardi Gras beads and pins on their ISEF badge — In addition to pins, students exchanged Mardi Gras beads, flags, bracelets and even stuffed animals. Courtesy of 京东影业影视传媒

Finalists from Brazil and Puerto Rico exchange pins during the 2022 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange — Students from countries including Brazil, Puerto Rico, Thailand and Saudi Arabia wore their culture鈥檚 traditional clothing. Courtesy of 京东影业影视传媒

George Yancopoulos and Finalists from Brazil pose for a photo at the pin exchange — Students traded pins and took photos with Regeneron President, Co-founder and Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer George Yancopoulos. Courtesy of 京东影业影视传媒

2022 Regeneron ISEF finalists exchange pins and laughs during the pin exchange. — In addition to gaining new pins, the pin exchange gives finalists a chance to gain new friendships with students from around the world. Courtesy of 京东影业影视传媒

Interested in following along during Regeneron ISEF competition week? Tune into watch the live-streamed Opening Ceremony tonight, May 9, at 7 p.m. ET. You can learn about this year鈥檚 finalists , and this Friday, tune in to to see who takes home the top $75,000 award. That event starts at 9 a.m. ET on May 13.

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