Students Representing New Zealand At The ‘Olympics Of Science Fairs' Forging Pathway For International Recognition

Scoop

09-05-2025

Two students are on their way to the United States to represent New Zealand at the 'Olympics' of science fairs, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio, which starts this weekend. The two New Zealand students are hoping to stand out among the nearly 2,000 young scientists from 70 other countries to win a share of the US $9 million (NZ$15 million) in awards and scholarships.
The last time a New Zealand student attended this event was in 2013 and it is only the second time that more than one student from New Zealand has taken part in the international event showcasing scientific inquiry, innovation and creativity.
Wellington College Year 13 student Jesse Rumball-Smith and Wellington Girls' College Year 11 student Isabelle Aduna were selected following success in last year's Australian Science and Engineering Fair (AUSSEF), and are joining nine Australian students chosen from the 105 top science and engineering projects at last year's event. As well as the opportunity to showcase school science projects on a global stage, the event is regarded as a platform for future leaders in innovation and real-world problem-solving.
While NIWA promotes science careers through its sponsorship of regional science fairs throughout New Zealand, because there is currently no national event the top students from regional fairs had to take part in the Australian event to qualify for selection to the international science and engineering fair.
Wellington College Year 13 student Jesse Rumball-Smith has developed a smartphone app to detect road risks and promote safer driving, reducing risky behaviour by 30 percent. The app incorporates state-of-the-art safety features, including recognising when the driver is fatigued.
Jesse has been taking part in science fairs since Year 7, and in 2023 won the NIWA Wellington Regional Science Fair. After a lot of 'searching, struggling and (persistently) emailing', he represented New Zealand at the Taiwan International Science Fair. Last year he also presented his project at an international conference in Germany, and at AUSSEF he came third.
He is hoping that his participation in the US will be inspiring for other students, and also that it will create an easier pathway for future students through a recognised National Science Fair in New Zealand. "This will be the second time in history that New Zealand has competed at the oldest, largest, and most prestigious international science fair - the first one-off event was more than a decade ago. For a country that wants to be a science-driven nation, we're a bit late to the party! Hopefully Isabelle and I going will set the stage for this to change."
Wellington Girls' College Year 11 student Isabelle Aduna also developed her Power-Up with Produce project from a real-world problem, exploring the use of fruit and vegetable waste as natural dyes for sustainable solar cells. The organic food waste is made into eco-friendly dye-sensitized solar cells. Last year Isabelle won the NIWA Wellington Regional Science Fair.
Isabelle says going to ISEF will be a unique opportunity. "It is truly an honour and I feel proud and humbled at the same time to be representing New Zealand at ISEF. It will be a journey of many 'firsts' that I am looking forward to experiencing. I am most looking forward to being surrounded by diverse cultures. I can't wait to participate and meet bright young people from across the world. This experience will allow me to connect with diverse perspectives, discuss groundbreaking research, and challenge my thinking. Ultimately, I hope to come away from ISEF inspired, not only with new ambitions for my own research, but with a developed appreciation for science's role in our environment and society's development. I hope that my participation inspires other young people to think beyond limitations and pursue a career in science and innovation."
She's also hopeful that plans for New Zealand to have its own national science and engineering fair come to fruition, so top qualifiers from the NIWA regional science fairs can have the direct opportunity to be selected for the ISEF instead of having to go through the Australian event. "I hope that my participation inspires other young people to think beyond limitations and pursue a career in science and innovation."
The students are travelling with Amanda Hood, a science educator and NIWA Wellington Regional Science and Technology Fair Organising committee member, and are supported by Royal Society Te Apārangi and their communities. She says the funding will also assist the development of a National Science and Engineering Fair for New Zealand. "Currently we don't have a national STEM fair in New Zealand, and there has been little opportunity for talented students to compete internationally. The participation of Isabelle and Jesse as New Zealand's first team at the world's most prestigious science fair could be a landmark event in showcasing our best and brightest on the global stage, following the footsteps of world-leading achievements of pioneers Ernest Rutherford, William Pickering, Maurice Wilkinson, Alan MacDiarmid, and Beatrice Tinsley."