For many, a typical family vacation may include going to the beach or an amusement park, but for the Dormini family, competing at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is a family tradition.
John (STS 2009; ISEF 2006-2009), Daniel (ISEF 2010, 2012, 2013), Thomas (ISEF 2017), Susie (ISEF 2018-2019), Becky (ISEF 2019-2021; ISEF 2019-2021) and BCM 2015 (ISEF 2015); BCM 2020-2021) (yes, that’s six siblings) they all competed at ISEF for a total of 14 years! Family love for the science fair does not end with ISEF: several of them also competed in our high school competition, Broadcom MASTERS, as well as in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) for high school graduates. The five Dormini brothers and sisters are no longer eligible to compete in Science Society programs, but John, Becky and Susie are still finding ways to get involved in the science fair and cheer on their youngest brother Jonathan, who competed at ISEF this year. Atlanta.
While John participated as a judge for the finalists who competed virtually, we caught up with Becky after she shared her experiences from the Science and Wisdom Fair at the personal alumni symposium of the Science Society during the competition week.
Did your siblings inspire you to compete in ISEF?
“We grew up watching them in all the competitions, it was a lot of fun to watch them compete. So it inspired me to one day want to be like them and have a project like my older brother. And in the end I got to ISEF and I had to do everything they had to do, and it was really amazing. ”
Do you think this shared experience has brought you and your siblings closer?
Every time one of us arrives at ISEF, every brother and sister says’ Wow! You made it! I’m so proud, it’s my little sister or brother! ‘ It’s great and fun. Each of us had to be the center of attention. We also talk to each other about our projects; it brought us closer. We all want to solve problems and we all like to think creatively, so it’s fun to talk about more academic things with them. We’re kind of nerds. “
How exciting is it for all of you to be involved in ISEF in different ways now?
“It is unbelievable to think that I am this old and that I am now invited to participate in ISEF panels. I know my older brother has worked really hard to get to where he is in his career, but he can also share that with younger people in the way the judges I had at ISEF shared their experiences and knowledge with me. . Now, my younger brother has that experience with judges. It’s amazing. “
Becky competed at ISEF for three years, with three different projects from three different subjects. She said that, although her ISEF experience seemed a little irresistible at first, she was able to meet so many new people from all over the world who became friends with whom she is still in contact today. She even found the trial interesting and more detailed than a typical science fair. “It was a great experience overall.” After going to college, she wanted to return to the science fair community by volunteering and enabling connections like the ones she gained during her time at ISEF. Becky is studying accounting at Clemson University.
Jonathan, the youngest of the Dormini brothers and sisters, hopes to continue competing at ISEF and to remain involved in the program when he is no longer eligible to compete. His 2022 ISEF project studied radio communications, which is his favorite subject.
Are alumni interested in staying involved in Science Society programs? Here you can learn more about the alumni community and join the alumni society network.