Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center High School is sending its first ever finalist to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona.

ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, and Junior Hailey Kintz qualified as a finalist with her project titled “Biodegradable Backlash” and Freshman Alyssa Byars qualified as a student observer with her project “Why Leaves Change Color.” Kintz, Byars, and teacher Alexa Groff are in Phoenix this week for the fair, where about 75 countries and 1,800 projects will be represented.

Kintz shares what she’ll be doing at the fair, “So as a finalist I will be trapped in a room for eight hours and I’ll be judged for eight hours straight while Alyssa gets to go to Arizona State University. But I’m very excited, it’s a great opportunity and we get to meet people from all over the world and learn about their projects and I’m super excited.”

Byars says she’s excited to give tours at the fair to kids, do activities with other observers, and visit Phoenix landmarks. Kintz will showcase her six months of plastics research and compete with other students for $4 million in prizes.