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Outstanding High School Scientists Named Semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search

Posted on: Wednesday, 12 January 2005, 15:00 CST

Three hundred outstanding young scientists were named semifinalists today in the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS), earning $600,000 in total awards for themselves and their schools. Often considered the "junior Nobel Prize," the Intel Science Talent Search is America's oldest, most highly regarded pre-college science competition and heir to six decades of science excellence.

"As a U.S. citizen, I am troubled by the performance of typical American students in science and mathematics when compared to their peers around the world," said Craig Barrett, Intel CEO. "But each year at the Intel STS, we have the opportunity to discover and celebrate the accomplishments of 300 bright young students from across the country. These students have developed a deeper understanding of science through the process of research and discovery. They demonstrate the critical skills necessary to drive innovation and competitiveness in America."

Over the past 64 years, STS alumni have been the recipients of more than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors including Nobel Prizes, National Medals of Science, MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, and Fields Medals. And they continue to build on this impressive legacy: Frank Wilczek, who placed fourth in the 1967 Science Talent Search, won the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics and is currently a professor of physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

This year's semifinalists will each receive $1,000 in recognition of their achievement. In addition, each of their schools receives $1,000 per semifinalist to enhance math and science programs. Since beginning this school award in 2000, Intel has contributed more than $1.8 million to improve math and science programs in U.S. high schools.

This year's semifinalists were selected from 1,600 entrants in 47 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Their research projects cover all disciplines of science including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, social science and biology. The students range in age from 15 to 18 with females representing 50 percent of the total entries. For a complete list of semifinalists, visit www.sciserv.org/sts/64sts/05semis.asp.

More than 100 top scientists from a variety of disciplines review and judge all Intel STS entries and examine each individual's research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. From the 300 semifinalists, 40 finalists will be announced on Jan. 26, 2005. These students will take an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the Science Talent Institute where they will participate in final judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more than $500,000. The winners will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions and announced at a black-tie banquet on March 15, 2005.

Science Service, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs, has administered the program since its inception in 1942. For more information on Science Service, visit www.sciserv.org.

Intel's sponsorship of the Science Talent Search is part of the Intel(R) Innovation in Education initiative, a collaboration with educators around the world to improve the quality of science, mathematics, engineering and technology education and to help students develop the higher-level thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.

Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

-- Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Source: Business Wire

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