FISSION

FISSION is a competition for students interested in science who are currently at their high school stage of education. Teams of up to two members will create either experiment or model which will fall in one of the four categories (Biomedical and Chemical sciences; Computer science and Mathematics; Physics and Engineering; Ecology and Environmental sciences). FISSION aims to encourage inquiry-base

d learning in students, and take them beyond the limitations of classroom science. Mentored by one of their science teachers, they should use what they already know to come up with original and applicable solutions of relevant scientific issues, invent a novel device or a computer program, or demonstrate an interesting phenomenon in a new way. Besides the competition between projects, FISSION will also host lectures by world acknowledged specialists in the field of Science. The topics will include the current research projects and areas of investigation, applications of science in business and entrepreneurship and opportunities for higher education and professional development. The first edition of the event was organized by a group of five students from the American College of Sofia. Mihail Georgiev, Tsveta Kamenova and Ivana Andreeva were the main organizers of FISSION. Nikita Ovsiannikov was the Web Developer and Tech Support, while Venezia Georgieva was the lead Designer responsible for the overall appearance of FISSION. There were 38 projects from all areas of science all of which were on an exceptionally high level. Let me give you an example from each category:
Biomedical sciences: A Study of Mitochondrial Movement
Mathematics and Computer science: Composy (algorithmic music)
Environmental sciences: Preservation of Moses
Engineering: Active Solar Tracker
Psychology: The Art of Selling
There were participants from all over Bulgaria as well as from Austria. Some of the most famous national media covered the event. All participants received small gifts and the winners received tablets. One of the participants in the Computer science category received a free place for a summer school organized by the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of the Sofia University. Most importantly all participants left ACS with smiles on their faces. This year we hope to build on the last year’s great success. We strive for more international attendance and for even higher level of the projects. We hope that we will create a platform which will help young scientists share their passion and thus multiply it. We hope that our event will be the reason for new contacts, new friendships, and why not new discoveries? This is why we urge all students with fresh ideas to sign up and show us what they’ve got.