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Indiana to Celebrate Science Education Week May 23-29, 2005

Posted on: Monday, 23 May 2005, 12:00 CDT

Governor Mitch Daniels has declared the week of May 23-29 as Indiana Science Education Week, to celebrate the successes of the Indiana students from across the state who participated in the recent Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix and to promote Indianapolis' selection as host city for the 2006 Intel ISEF.

The Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI) was instrumental in the recruitment of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to Indianapolis in 2006. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,300 students from approximately 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and a $50,000 scholarship for the grand prize winner.

ISEF was founded in 1950 by Science Services, a non-profit organization founded to increase the public's knowledge and understanding of scientific achievement. More than 40 years later, tens of thousands of students in grades 9 through 12 compete in more than 500 Intel ISEF affiliated fairs with the hope of reaching the international finals. Fairs are held in more than 40 countries and almost every U.S. state, and the competition is fierce - for the past several years, U.S. patent applications were filed for nearly 20% of the projects.

A few numbers illustrate the scope of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair:

-- Over 1,300 students from more than 45 states and 40 countries will attend.

-- Between 6,000-10,000 total guests will visit Indianapolis during the fair; in addition to students and their families, this group includes corporate executives, scientists and university officials interested in meeting the "next generation" of top science and engineering talent.

-- More than 1,200 volunteer judges will evaluate student projects

-- Panel of Nobel Prize laureates to share career highlights, participate in question-and-answer session with students.

-- In excess of $3 million in prizes and scholarships will be awarded to students.

"There is tremendous community support surrounding the Intel ISEF 2006," said Dr. William Gilmore, SEFI Executive Director. "Committees are engaging students and teachers to promote interest in attending the event and to encourage participation in competitions leading up to Intel ISEF 2006. We want to ensure that we are leaving a lasting legacy for Indiana's students and raise the bar for science and technology education."

About SEFI

The Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging students to choose careers in math and science and practice these careers in Indiana. SEFI focuses on issues affecting math and science education in Indiana, and also administers the state's regional science and engineering fairs. SEFI is also responsible for bringing the Intel ISEF to Indianapolis in 2006, attracting over 6,000 visitors - including key scientific and business leaders in the life sciences - to Indiana's capitol city. www.sefi.org

Source: Business Wire

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