PDX Parent December 2019

Page 8

p l ay r o o m

Kid to Know: The AI Master versus Cancer Watch out, pancreatic cancer. 14-year-old Rishab Jain is

visiting a laboratory in Boston, I learned about pancreatic cancer

coming for you. The ninth grader at Westview High School in

DNA sequencing,” says Rishab. “I questioned if I could use my

Portland recently took home a technology award at the Broadcom

knowledge in programming and artificial intelligence to help tackle

MASTERS 2019, a program of the Society for Science & the Public.

the pressing problem.”

(It’s the nation’s premier

Rishab won $2,500 to

STEM competition for

use for a STEM summer

middle-school students.)

camp and is looking into

Rishab designed an

camps focused on artificial

artificial intelligence tool

intelligence. And he plans

that works in conjunction

to keep his sights on

with the results of gene

cancer. “I want to pursue

sequencing to help

a career in medicine.

diagnose patients who

Having the opportunity

have pancreatic cancer.

to make an immediate

Rishab calls it The

difference in the lives

Pancreas Detective.

of people is something

Rishab, who has

that is important to me,”

family friends who have

he says. “Hopefully, I

died from cancer, started

can become a surgeon

thinking about what

who can treat and cure

he could do to address the disease. “While

pancreatic cancer.” — Denise Castañon

SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC

Support our city’s crew of talented makers this holiday season at a local craft fair.

➊ The Big

Kahuna of holiday markets, Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market features more than 250 crafters selling everything from small-batch stuffies to upcycled journals. December 14-15. Oregon Convention Center. Craftywonderland.com.

TOP 5 ... Holiday Craft Fairs

➋ Baerlic’s WoodWorker Holiday Market is a show that might change the minds of dads who have little patience for craft fairs.

It celebrates all things made of or inspired by wood, like furniture and housewares, but the best part is that it’s held in a brewery, and Tastebud wood-fired pizza will be slinging slices. December 7. Baerlic Brewing Co. and Taproom. Woodworkermarketpdx.com.

➌ More

than 70 professional artisans will bring their jewelry, ceramics and fine arts to the Da Vinci Arts Fair. Proceeds benefit the art-loving students at Da Vinci Middle School. December 7. 2508 NE Everett St. Facebook.com/davinciartsfair.

➍ Got Star Wars, comic-book

or die-hard Harry Potter fans in your house? Head to Geek the Halls for awesomely nerdy gifts by local makers. December 14-15. DoubleTree Hotel, 1000 NE Multnomah St. Facebook.com/GeektheHallsPDX.

➎ And finally check out the adorable kid-made crafts at

Scott Elementary School’s Mercado de Artesanías/Maker Fair. This bilingual bazaar won an award for the best Portland PTA event and features decorations, crafts, food and more. December 14. 10 am-1 pm. Scott School, 6700 NE Prescott St. — D.C.

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December 2019

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GEEK THE HALLS

tea blends to handmade