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Arts & Culture

POV: Inventing Tomorrow

Fernando, Jose and Jesus in lab. Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats – found right in their own backyards – while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. Take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Fernando, Jose and Jesus in lab. Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats – found right in their own backyards – while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. Take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Airs Monday, July 29, 2019 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV + Thursday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. on KPBS 2

“Inventing Tomorrow” follows six young scientists from Indonesia, Hawaii, India and Mexico as they tackle some of the most complex environmental issues facing humanity today – right in their own backyards.

Each student is preparing original scientific research that he or she will defend at ISEF, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Framed against the backdrop of the severe environmental threats we now face, we immerse the audience in a global view of the planetary crisis, through the eyes of the generation that will be affected by it most.

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Considered the Olympics of high school science fairs, ISEF is the largest gathering of high school scientists in the world, attracting approximately 1,800 finalists from over 75 countries, regions and territories.

All the finalists want to do a good job, but the heart of the story isn’t about whether they go home with an award.

As they take water samples from contaminated lakes, dig up the dirt in public parks, board illegal pirate mining ships, and test their experiments in a lab, we see each student display a tenacious curiosity, and a determination to build a better future.

Motivated by the desire to protect their homes, these young people are asking questions about the issues they observe in their communities, and proposing innovative solutions to fix them.

Nuha takes a selfie with friends. Teen innovators prepare for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Nuha takes a selfie with friends. Teen innovators prepare for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world.

The students spend close to 600 hours each on their projects, guided in their scientific quest by dedicated university mentors. At home with their parents, grandparents, and siblings, they compare the world their elders knew with the stark reality of the one they’re inheriting.

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Jared (right) and his father birding. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Jared (right) and his father birding. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.

But they’re still teenagers, with their own unique struggles. We spend time with them in classrooms, at after-school jobs, behind the wheel as they learn to drive, and in their rooms hanging out with friends, and learn more about the obstacles they face just to get to the fair.

Jose, Fernando and Jesus on the bus. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Jose, Fernando and Jesus on the bus. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.

As each finalist prepares to leave home, some for the very first time, we witness their unique intellectual and emotional journeys on the way to ISEF 2017 in Los Angeles.

Once they land in Los Angeles, our characters join a vibrant, excited community of young students from around the globe. They meet peers who are just as bright and determined as they are, competing in every category of STEM, from Robotics to Computer Science.

Jared and other students in a classroom. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Jared and other students in a classroom. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.

The tension builds as they practice how to defend their research in front of 1000 volunteer judges, all specialists in their fields.

Beyond the gauntlet of judging, the week is a whirlwind of social activities, field trips, and exploring brand-new foods in the cafeteria.

Nuha and Intan. Teen innovators prepare for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Nuha and Intan. Teen innovators prepare for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world.

The students form bonds that many call life changing. Regardless of who wins an award, they all discover a community that celebrates their ingenuity and enthusiasm. They meet peers who turn into lifelong friends; other kids like themselves who believe in a shared vision of environmental stewardship and collective action.

When the fair ends, we follow our characters home to witness how they process their experiences. Some leave with a renewed sense of purpose and continue their project at university. Others are inspired to pursue a new direction.

But as they integrate their time at ISEF into the next phase of their lives, they all realize they’re not alone. They’ve finally met other kids like themselves who believe in a shared vision of environmental stewardship and collective action.

Sahithi at the the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair opening ceremony. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.
Courtesy of IQ190 Productions LLC
Sahithi at the the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair opening ceremony. In preparation for the world's largest convening of high school scientists, teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront environmental threats while navigating the doubts and insecurities of adolescence.

Watch On Your Schedule:

This film will stream online on POV.org in concurrence with its broadcast. Full episodes of POV are available to view on demand for a limited time after broadcast.

Join The Conversation:

POV is on Facebook, and you can follow @povdocs on Twitter. #InventingTomorrowPBS

"Inventing Tomorrow" is on Facebook, Instagram, and you can follow @InventingTmrw on Twitter.

Credits:

A Fishbowl Films production in association with Motto Pictures, 19340 Productions, Shark Island Institute, HHMI| Tangled Bank Studios. Directed by Laura Nix. Producers: Diane Becker and Melanie Miller. Editor: Helen Kearns. Director of Photography: Martina Radwan. Composer Laura Karpman. Executive Producers: Julie Goldman, Christopher Clements, Sharon Chang, Linda and David Cornfield and Ian Darling.