Maltese student 2nd in EU science contest
Philip Cardona with his Cappuccino logo printer.
Philip Cardona, a student at Mcast's Institute of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, won second prize in the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) held at the Palais de la Découverte in Paris, France.
Cardona's winning project was a 'Cappuccino logo printer' that uses food colouring to print pre-defined designs on the froth of a cappuccino. The designs can include logos, text, images and messages. They can also be drawn on the froth of beer, or even on cakes. The project generated a lot of interest among visitors, officials and even the other contestants throughout the contest.
Cardona, 20, got the idea for the project while working in a bar in summer. When preparing cappuccinos, he always tried to make them more attractive by creating designs on the froth. This evolved into an idea for a machine which could print such designs.
The EUCYS contestants were aged between 14 and 20, and came from 38 countries across Europe, as well as Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the US.
A total of 87 winning projects from national competitions were presented, covering a wide range of scientific disciplines from engineering to biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine, computer and social sciences. The projects were evaluated by a pan-European 17-member scientific jury.
The event provides a unique showcase of the best European student scientific projects, and some previous projects have led to scientific breakthroughs or the creation of new businesses. For winners of the various awards it has also proved to be an important springboard for their future scientific careers. During their stay in Paris, the young researchers also met eminent scientists.
"Science and research needs fresh blood and fresh ideas. Europe needs to encourage the best young talents to take up a career in science and we must make these careers attractive to our future researchers," said European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. "The high quality of the projects in competition is a positive signal, showing that Europe is a real reservoir of talent."
Cardona took part in the EUCYS after he had placed first in the national contest for young scientists held by the National Students Travel Foundation (NSTF) during its annual Science Week in March.
Students interested in taking part in next year's contest, which will decide who represents Malta at the 2010 EUCYS to be held in Lisbon, and at the Expo Science Europe in Moscow, should contact Mariella-Pia Tabone, head of educational and cultural affairs at NSTF on mtabo@nsts.org or visit www.nsts.org.
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Danika Vella
Oct 4th 2009, 22:47
proset philip :) You made us proud :)
Pule' Carmel
Oct 4th 2009, 18:54
Yesterday Friday, the students of the Electrical and Mechanical deparments at the faculty of engineering together with ICT students from the faculty of computer, organised a competition
where Radio Controlled Robots fought it out in a Sumo competition of complete destruction or being thrown out of the ring. It was a very pleasant afternoon attended by numerous students.
Perhaps this should grow into an annual challenge in addition to other challenges as canoe racing as conducted by OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. Out of these competitions many educational benefits would emerge and students would be made to learn that there is more than learning their favourite academic subjects in isolation.
Philip Cardona
Oct 4th 2009, 18:27
Kienet esperjenza vera sabiha u li jekk jkolli opportunita ohra bhal din zgur li ma nitlifiex. Alkemm kien hemm sena u nofs meta apparti affarijiet li andhom x'jaqsmu mal kors ta l MCAST, kelli nahdem sieghat twal fuq l projett sakemm jitlesta.
Jien nheggeg aktar studenti mill- MCAST jithajru li jidhlu al challange bhal dan ghaliex zgur li b'hekk l livell tal projetti gejjin mill- MCAST jkunu aktar ta kalibru.
Nixtieq nejd grazzi lil ATTRANS Ltd. li hadu hsieb mit transport tal projett, aliex alkemm kien kbir xorta wasal f'kundizzjoni eccellenti.
Pule' Carmel
Oct 4th 2009, 12:51
Congratulations to the student andMcast. In Malta we must learn to compete, for the spirit of competition will help us face future difficulties.
When I proposed MCAST to minister Michael Falzon over 15 years ago, I had in mind a technical university but the extracurricular subjects were to include more social subjects that were missing in trade schools, colleges and institutes. I hoped that students would give attention to public speaking and other competitive elements with the intention that students would be prepared to move into management, leadership, and politics. This can be done by using sport and cultural activities. Oxford and Cambridge and my old Alma Mater provided competitive Canoe, Skiff, Kayak, Slalom racing, Dancing, and Debating Competitions were student members from universities tour other univerities talking to politicians, industrialist. In Malta we should initiate these competitions between University, Mcast and other schools. The university has proposed the building of a Debating Chamber. I have built an eight meter canoe with the intension of students setting up records using, rowing, paddling, solar energy wind energy. I had hoped that an annual canoe race between Mcast and University would be initiated. WE all must work together.