300 High School Seniors Named Semifinalists in Intel Science Talent Search

At 176 high schools across the country today, 300 students were named semifinalists of the Intel Science Talent Search 2009, a program of the Society for Science & the Public. As America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition, the Intel Science Talent Search brings together the best and brightest young scientific minds in America to compete for $1.25 million in scholarships. Each semifinalist receives a $1,000 award with an additional $1,000 going to his or her respective school, resulting in $600,000 in total semifinalist awards.

• Young Innovators Compete for $1.25 Million in Scholarships

This year's semifinalists were selected from 1,608 entrants, and hail from 36 states, the District of Columbia and accredited overseas schools in India and South Korea. The Intel Science Talent Search encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and develop the skills to solve the problems of tomorrow. Projects submitted for consideration cover all disciplines of science including biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, behavioral science and medicine and health.

Over the past 67 years, the young innovators chosen to participate in the Science Talent Search have gone on to receive some of the world's most prestigious honors. For example, seven former finalists have won the Nobel Prize while others have been awarded the Fields Medal, the National Medal of Science and MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

"Intel Science Talent Search semifinalists tackle today's challenging problems with solutions that have great potential to positively impact our world," said Craig Barrett, Intel's Chairman of the Board. "To foster the next generation of innovators, the United States must invest in encouraging this passion for math and science in more of our youth."

On Jan. 28, 40 of the 300 semifinalists will be named as finalists and receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a week-long event in March; they will compete for a grand prize of $100,000. A total of $530,000 in scholarships will be provided by the Intel Foundation with each finalist receiving at least $5,000 and a new laptop powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The top finalists will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions while in Washington, D.C. and announced at a black-tie gala award ceremony at the Mellon Auditorium on March 10.

Society for Science & the Public (SSP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the public engagement in scientific research and education, has owned and administered the Science Talent Search since its inception in 1942.

"Serving as inspiration to us all, the Intel STS 2009 semifinalists represent a bright future for America and the world, as they apply their intelligence and creativity to our greatest medical, technological, and environmental challenges," said Elizabeth Marincola, SSP president. "SSP joins with Intel in congratulating the mentors, teachers, schools and parents who have supported the success of each semifinalist."

2009 marks Intel's 11th year sponsoring the Science Talent Search. In October 2008, the Intel Foundation committed $120 million over the next 10 years to Society for Science & the Public programs, supporting not only the company's historical commitment to the Intel Science Talent Search and Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, but also the creation of a robust education outreach initiative and an alumni network of past Science Talent Search participants.

As part of Intel's new education outreach commitment, the SSP Fellows Program began today. The program provides funds and training to select U.S. science and math teachers, with the goal of encouraging more under-resourced students to produce high-quality, independent scientific research. Applications for the Fellows Program will be accepted through Feb. 15 and can be accessed at www.societyforscience.org/outreach.

Intel believes that students everywhere deserve to have the skills necessary to become the next generation of innovators. Intel's commitment to education extends far beyond Intel Science Talent Search. Intel works to help improve the quality of education from local schools to global universities. Over the past decade alone, Intel has invested over $1 billion, and Intel employees have donated over 2 million hours toward improving education in 50 countries.

By state, the 2009 Intel Science Talent Search semifinalists broke out as follows New York 114; California 25; Maryland 21; New Jersey and Virginia 15; Texas 14; Illinois and Ohio 9; Pennsylvania 7; Missouri 6; Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan and North Carolina 5; Florida, Oregon and Wisconsin 4; Kentucky 3; Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Oklahoma 2; Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, North Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and Washington 1.