A PUPIL from Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi has just returned from an all-expenses paid trip to America after representing the UK in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Jack Davies, from Pacllyn, Aberporth, qualified for the competition in Phoenix, Arizona, after being successful in the UK Young Engineer of the Year competition at the Big Bang science fair in Birmingham in March with his Motor Mate project.

For his project, Jack designed and manufactured a product that aids the transport and storage of different outboard motors on boats and as part of his prize he won the trip to America, where he rubbed shoulders with other budding young designers and scientists.

“To be one of the 1842 finalists from all over the world is a massive achievement for anyone and to represent the UK with my project was a great honour,” said Jack.

“In total I had 12 interviews from 12 different judges. Judging went well, and the judges were very impressed with the project and I gained valuable feedback.

“The highlight of the trip for me was meeting all the other finalists from so many different parts of the world. I made some great friends at ISEF, and I will continue to keep in touch with them all in the future and will remember the experience for the rest of my life.”

While in the States, Jack had the chance to visit Sedona, the botanical gardens and drove along the Apache trail, stopping at a picturesque viewpoint of the Canyon Lake where temperatures reached a scoching 45 degrees Celsius.

He also got the chance to watch a baseball game and enjoy the fantastic facilities on offer at the Grand Sheraton Hotel where he was staying along with many other competitors and exchanged pin badges with each other’s country flags.

“My week at Intel ISEF was a fantastic life experience and a week that I will never forget,” added Jack.

The competition featured over 1,800 young scientists selected from 423 affiliate fairs in more than 80 countries, regions and territories.

The overall winning entry was from Krithik Ramesh, 16, of Greenwood Village, Colorado, for her project using machine learning and computer vision to help orthopaedic surgeons achieve greater accuracy for screw placement during spinal surgery.

Ramesh received the $75,000 Gordon E. Moore Award, named in honour of the Intel co-founder.