Reporter (PV): How did you know about this contest? What is your most memorable memory during the contest?

Thien Luong: I heard about VISEF for the first time through a guy who I went to the summer camp with in grade 9. He had participated in the competition and had very valuable experiences. Since childhood, I have been passionate about science and have always wanted to discover the world around me, that's why I signed up to participate in the contest. I remember when the teacher would stay very late to guide us through a difficult part of a certain topic.

Minh Quan: I like to research and learn, so I followed many scientific newspapers, and found out about the contest by accident on one of those newspapers. I can't forget all the times I did experiments, in which I learned many new techniques and useful knowledge. In addition, I have made friends with the same passion as me!

Minh Quan and Thien Luong give a presentation on the topic

Reporter: What topic did you choose to participate in the contest and why did you choose that topic?

Thien Luong: We work on enhancing the efficiency of photocatalyst materials to help the environment. Everyone wants to breathe fresh air and live in a clean environment. Currently, environmental pollution is concerned by the whole world, so I want to contribute to solving this problem.

Minh Quan: I am a student majoring in Chemistry, so I chose a topic related to Chemistry, both to help protect the environment and improve my knowledge. Currently, environmental pollution is a very serious problem, and the solutions currently available often cost a lot of money, materials and are not really effective. Our group proposed a solution to help improve the aforementioned problems. 

Reporter: In the current epidemic situation, what difficulties have you encountered when preparing for the contest?

Minh Quan: At first, I was quite overwhelmed with the huge amount of knowledge needed for the contest. I also face pressure from constant exams, from family and friends, but I always tell myself to try to overcome challenges. In the end, I feel that all my efforts have paid off.

Thien Luong: It is true that our group faced many difficulties during the preparation period. Due to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, it was difficult for us to go to the laboratory and practice directly. But that didn't stop us - on the contrary, each one of us tried harder to research and learn about the topic properly.

The two of them enthusiastically perform experiments

Reporter: Where does your passion for science and technology come from? What role do you think science and technology play in today's life?

Minh Quan: I think science and technology is a very good field. Understanding more about science and technology helps me apply theoretical knowledge in books to real life problems. Science and technology helps society develop, and help human life become better.

Thien Luong: From a young age, I was very interested in learning and I always asked questions about my surrounding life, especially about machines, so my passion for science and technology gradually grew over time. I think the scientific world contains many new and exciting things, in addition, science is extremely useful, helping to improve the quality of human life.

The two of them research about the topic

Reporter: Do you have anything to say to readers who want to participate in the VISEF contest?

Thien Luong: I wish you always keep the "flame" of passion for science and achieve the best results in the contest. Although the preparation process is quite difficult, throughout the competition, you will understand more about the world around you, and become more and more passionate about science.

Minh Quan: I want to send my best wishes to you. I hope that you will love science more and more. By joining VISEF, you will be able to directly do interesting experiments, apply seemingly dry theories to life and invent products that make people's lives more and more comfortable and modern. It is a memorable experience that all of us should try at least once.

The team that won the first prize: Do Minh Quan 10 Chemistry 1, Nguyen Thien Luong 10 Computer Science and instructor Nguyen Hong Hai 

Ams Wide Web would like to thank both of you for the interview today. Wishing you all the best of health, keep up the good performance and do your best in the Intel-ISEF World Finals!

Reporter: Nguyen Nhat Linh - Chemistry 2 2124

Photo: Provided by interviewees

Translator: Nguyen Khanh Linh - English 2 2023