SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forty high school seniors from across the United States are celebrating their selection as finalists in the country’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition, the Intel Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public (SSP).
The Intel Science Talent Search encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and develop skills to help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. Entrants are judged on the originality and creativity of their scientific research projects as well as their achievement and leadership both inside and outside the classroom. Finalists’ research spans from a mathematical model that can replicate cardiac arrhythmias to a fast-charging, low-cost energy storage supercapacitor to innovative stem cell research. The 40 finalists will convene in Washington, D.C. from March 6-12 to compete for $630,000 provided by the Intel Foundation, including a grand prize of $100,000 that will be awarded to the first-place winner.
“We celebrate these 40 students because their contributions to the world of science will help solve some of our most pressing challenges,” said Wendy Hawkins, executive director of the Intel Foundation. “The Intel Science Talent Search encourages hands-on experience with math and science, which is imperative in enabling young people to think critically, solve problems and understand the world around them.”
Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, has owned and administered the Science Talent Search since its inception in 1942.
“We are inspired by the knowledge, determination and passion of this year’s Intel Science Talent Search finalists,” said Rick Bates, interim CEO and chief advancement officer of Society for Science & the Public. “With Intel, we share great excitement in the promise of their future, not only at the finals in March, but as they dig deeper into their particular research and into the challenges society faces.”
Intel Science Talent Search 2014 Fast Facts
- The Intel Science Talent Search 2014 finalists are from 33 schools in 14 states.
- Finalist projects are distributed among 15 categories, including behavioral science, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, materials science, mathematics, medicine, microbiology, physics, and space science.
- Notable finalist research projects include biocompatible solar cells, computer models that simulate social networks or aid in disease screening, innovative breast cancer research, and filter and sensor research that can detect arsenic in the home.
- These 40 finalists were narrowed down from 300 semifinalists and nearly 1,800 entrants.
- For a list of this year’s finalists, visit http://student.societyforscience.org/intel-sts.
Intel Science Talent Search finalists will gather in Washington, D.C. for a week-long event from March 6-12, during which they will undergo a rigorous judging process, interact with leading scientists, display their research for the public at the National Geographic Society, and meet with national leaders. The top 10 winners will be announced at a black-tie, invite-only gala awards ceremony at the National Building Museum on March 11.
In the past, young innovators chosen to participate in the Science Talent Search have received some of the world's most prestigious honors. For example, Science Talent Search alumni have gone on to win eight Nobel Prizes, two Fields Medals, five National Medals of Science, 11 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and even an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Intel assumed title sponsorship of the Intel Science Talent Search 16 years ago and has increased annual awards and scholarships from $207,000 to $1.25 million to better acknowledge achievement in these important subjects. Over the past decade, Intel and the Intel Foundation have invested more than $1 billion, and Intel employees have donated close to 4 million hours toward improving education in more than 70 countries, regions and territories.
To get the latest Intel Science Talent Search news, visit www.intel.com/newsroom/education, and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
To learn more about Society for Science & the Public, visit www.societyforscience.org, and follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter.
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