From curiosity to confidence: Words of wisdom from Regeneron ISEF finalists
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair is the world鈥檚 largest pre-collegiate STEM competition. This year鈥檚 fair welcomed nearly 2,000 finalists from almost 70 countries to Los Angeles for a week of STEM exchange and celebration. More than just a platform for the finalists to present their research to experts in their fields, Regeneron ISEF also aims to make a wider impact. For instance, during Education Outreach Day this year, we welcomed over 3,000 local students to Regeneron ISEF for a day of immersive 京东影业影视传媒 activities.
One of visiting students鈥� favorite destinations was a series of lightning talks, where they heard directly from the finalists. Between sharing insights from their research, to offering advice on following one鈥檚 STEM interests, the sessions were inspiring as well as illuminating. Here are some of the wise words shared by finalists:
(Penang, Malaysia)
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to always be confident in yourself. If someone tries to talk you out of something by saying that it鈥檚 never been done before, or that you can鈥檛 do it, you shouldn鈥檛 listen to them. You should listen to yourself and why you think you can do it. Even if it doesn鈥檛 work out, that鈥檚 okay, and you should always try. Remember that failure is just a steppingstone to success.鈥�
(Shaker Heights, Ohio)
鈥淥ne roadblock I had to overcome early in my journey was when I interviewed to join my research lab. As they were grilling me about parts of the brain and how they work, I probably said, 鈥業 don鈥檛 know鈥� ninety percent of the time. But I said that even though I didn鈥檛 know, I really wanted to learn and to gain answers to those questions. It鈥檚 important to focus not only on your goals, but also on continuously learning. If you have curiosity, literally nothing can stop you, and you can go as far as you want.鈥�
(Stamford, Connecticut)
鈥淚f you have a personal struggle, or any issue you encounter in your daily life where you wish there were a way to improve things鈥攎aybe there is! And you can be the one to find it.鈥�
Antonia won the 3rd Award in Systems Software.
(Bronx, New York)
鈥淚n middle school, I didn鈥檛 know what ISEF was, let alone what it would be like to go through the scientific process myself. But when I took AP Biology in high school, I realized that the world was so much broader than I thought it was. Science and science competitions can introduce you to so many people from so many different places鈥攁nd so many opportunities and possibilities.
Jessica won the 4th Award in Behavioral & Social Sciences.
(Morristown, New Jersey)
鈥淎 lot of research is really difficult and, when you first start, you only have an idea. But every time you do an experiment or test another variable, you get one step closer to your destination. Even failure just means you learned one more thing that doesn鈥檛 work. I would encourage everyone in this room to think about what you want to do. It鈥檚 not going to be an easy journey, but you can take it one step at a time. Eventually you鈥檒l reach your destination, while learning a lot along the way.鈥�
Michael won the 4th Award in Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics and Special Awards from the International Council on Systems Engineering and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
(Walla Walla, Washington)
鈥淚 have one word for you: 鈥榊ouTube.鈥� It鈥檚 the single best resource ever. Go on YouTube and search for robotics, or math or science, and just watch several videos that come up. Eventually you鈥檒l figure out what topics you鈥檙e interested in. These topics will be broad at first, but you鈥檒l start to find specific ideas and questions you鈥檙e excited to learn more about.鈥�
Jerry won the 4th Award in Technology Enhances the Arts.聽聽聽
For more from the fair,
