Muscat – Students from Oman showcased exceptional talents at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which was held in Dallas, US, from May 13 to 19.

ISEF, the largest innovation competition for school students worldwide, awarded over US$8mn in prizes across 17 fields with nearly 2,000 participants from various countries.

Oman made its mark with two groundbreaking innovations.

Dohat Al-Adab School secured fourth place in environmental engineering with their innovation ‘Utilising animal bones for 3D printer filaments’.

Al-Amal School for Basic Education achieved remarkable success in biomedicine, earning a financial scholarship at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and a grant from Sigma Xi.

Their research will be published in Sigma Xi’s scientific journal and presented at the International Forum for Scientific Research in November this year.

ISEF is a renowned international science fair held annually in the US, attracting pre-university students worldwide.

It nurtures talents in scientific fields, including engineering design, mathematics, and technology. Oman’s active involvement reflects the Ministry of Education’s commitment to advancing students and providing opportunities for engagement in scientific forums.

Mariam al Rahbia, an 11th-grade student of Dohat Al-Adab School, felt honoured to be able to represent Oman in that global event. Their project aimed to reduce plastic usage by converting animal bones into 3D printer threads. “We aspire to establish a dedicated factory for production,” she added.

Shather al Kharousi, also an 11th-grade student from the same school, said she felt proud in elevating Oman’s reputation. “The project made us realise the importance of perseverance, as our research encountered multiple obstacles before alternative paths presented themselves. Our experience highlights the significance of relentless effort in pursuit of the goal.”

Iman al Rahbi, a physics teacher and the supervisor of the team, said she along with the students acquired invaluable knowledge and exposure by participating at ISEF.