McDaniel appointed to international advisory council
A Bagley College of Engineering staff member will join the advisory council for the largest international pre-college science fair competition.
Christina McDaniel has been selected to serve on the advisory council for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). She serves as coordinator for the Region V Mississippi Science and Engineering Fair through the Bagley College’s K-12 Outreach Office.
“I’m very humbled and I hope I do Mississippi and Mississippi State proud,” McDaniel said. “It is quite an honor to serve on an advisory council with representatives from over 70 countries.”
McDaniel is the first council member to be chosen from Mississippi. As part of this group she hopes to help set standardized rules and regulations for the ISEF. She also hopes to help the Mississippi science fairs thrive.
“One of our goals is to make a more uniform standard for science fair that represents all economic categories and all cultural categories,” McDaniel said. “I hope to be a voice for the rural communities.”
McDaniel has been involved with the Intel ISEF for six years, during which she has served as a chaperone for competing students from Mississippi. Prior to joining the BCoE staff in 2012, McDaniel worked as a biology teacher for 16 years.
In addition to serving as regional science fair coordinator for the BCoE, McDaniel also developed the curriculum for the college’s Mission Intermodal Excellence program. She is an instructor in secondary education in the department of curriculum, instruction and special education.
McDaniel holds a bachelor’s degree in biology education and a master’s in biological sciences from MSU. She is currently working to complete a doctorate in curriculum and instruction in secondary science education.
Intel ISEF is a program of the Society for Science and the Public. It is a global science competition for high school students. Approximately 1,600 high school students from 77 countries participate in the annual science fair. This year’s competition will take place May 11-16 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Emily McConnell | Bagley College of Engineering
