DHAHRAN: Two high school students at the American School Dhahran have launched a new science fair aimed at expanding access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for students across Saudi Arabia.
Tenth-grade students Jungho Kang and Raahim Lone co-founded the Saudi Arabian National Engineering Symposium (SANES), a one-day, student-led science fair that held its first edition on Saturday. The event welcomed more than 60 participants from over seven schools across the Eastern Province.
Kang and Lone, who met as freshmen during a math project, created SANES after realizing there were few inclusive science fair opportunities available to both Saudi and non-Saudi students in the Kingdom.
“Our main goal was to give all students a platform to share ideas, get feedback, and learn from professionals,” Kang said.
The fair featured two rounds of judging by a panel of local and international STEM experts. Teachers helped screen initial submissions to ensure fairness, while final project evaluations were conducted exclusively by the judges.
First place was awarded to a team from British School Dhahran, with ISG Dammam students taking second and third place.
Lone, who moved to Saudi Arabia from Canada, said organizing SANES felt similar to launching a startup. The students began by reaching out to organizations for support and later secured full backing from the International Schools Group (ISG), which helped them secure a venue and other resources.
“What’s exciting about today is that it was started by two of our students,” said Hans Ott, ISG Director of Teaching and Learning. “They created an inclusive environment where all students in the Kingdom could showcase their passion for STEM.”
Assistant Principal Will McConnell, who mentored the students, called the project one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. “If students walk away feeling inspired and empowered to pursue science and engineering, then we’ve succeeded,” he said.
ISG Superintendent Rhonda Norris echoed his sentiment. “We are proud of these young men and what they have accomplished today,” she said.
Kang, originally from South Korea, has lived in the Kingdom since the age of four. He said he hopes SANES continues to grow as a platform for aspiring young scientists.
With two years left in high school, both co-founders say they plan to continue developing SANES and have committed to supporting it even after graduation.
