Introduction and Key Issues

Inventing Tomorrow follows young scientists from Indonesia, Hawaii, India and Mexico as they tackle some of the most complex environmental issues right in their own backyards. Each student is preparing to present and defend their original research at ISEF, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and represent their country. Considered the “Olympics of high school science fairs,” ISEF attracts approximately 1,800 finalists from over 75 countries, regions and territories every year. Each student spends hundreds of hours on their projects, guided in their scientific quest by dedicated university mentors. Winning the competition may seem to be their immediate goal, but the heart of the story is their desire to create innovative solutions to fix immediate environmental threats in their own communities.

We follow their journey at ISEF 2017 through a week of whirlwind social activities, field trips, exploring brand new foods in the cafeteria and presenting their projects to a team of expert judges. Through this experience students forge new bonds and discover a community of peers that celebrates and shares a passion for ingenuity and a vision for the power of science to instill environmental stewardship and collective action.

Inventing Tomorrow follows their return home capturing the initial impact of this experience in their lives. Some have a renewed sense of purpose and continue their project at university, while others pursue new directions. Regardless of their path, each are assured that they’re not alone as other students around the world share their vision and commitment to environmental stewardship, collective action, and the use of science to address and solve the most pressing issues in their communities.

Inventing Tomorrow is an inspiring tool for outreach and education and will be of special interest to audiences exploring the following topics:

climate change

climate justice

cross cultural education

environmental studies

science competitions

STEM education