World's Top Teens Gather in Fort Worth for 1998 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 11, 1998 -- The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) kicks off in Fort Worth, Texas, today with the brightest teen scientists from across the globe competing for more than $2 million in grants and college scholarships. Nearly 1,200 high school students from 34 countries will display their projects at the Fort Worth Convention Center, addressing timely subjects that range from AIDS to breast cancer to El Niņo.

This year's competition will commence in true Texas style, with an Opening Ceremony celebration led by CNN's Ann Kellan and featuring Texas Governor George W. Bush, Congresswoman Kay Granger, State Senator Mike Moncrief, as well as Jennifer Harris, flight director for the Mars Pathfinder, and Dr. Gordon E. Moore, chairman emeritus of Intel Corporation.

"Intel's commitment to supporting education continues to grow with this, our second year as title sponsor of the ISEF," Moore said. "I am impressed by the innovation and drive these students have demonstrated, and proud that Intel is supporting their endeavors."

Throughout the week, participants at the Intel ISEF will have the chance to meet fellow high school scientists from around the world, discuss their projects with Nobel Laureates and compete for grants and scholarships in excess of $2 million -- more than any other high school science competition.

Awards to be presented at the Closing Ceremonies on Friday, May 15, include:

• Intel Young Scientist Scholarships: Three students will each receive a $40,000 scholarship to the college of his or her choice.
• Pinnacle Awards: The top two overall winners of the Intel ISEF will receive the Glenn T. Seaborg trip to the Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Grand Awards: Awards will be given to the top students in each of the 15 science categories. The awards are: First Place, $3,000; Second Place, $1,500; Third Place, $1,000; Fourth Place, $500.
• Intel ISEF Best of Category Awards: The top point winner in each competition category will receive an additional award of $5,000.

The Intel ISEF is the world's only international science fair representing all sciences for students in grades nine through 12. An estimated 1 million students from around the world competed in more than 400 local Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs in the hopes of advancing to this week's competition. The top two students and top team from each local affiliated science fair were invited to the Intel ISEF, where they will compete in one of 15 science categories ranging from biochemistry to zoology.

The Participants
The 1998 Intel ISEF finalists are talented science and engineering students, and a diverse group of teens who create an impressive international forum. Groups that are traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering have a strong showing at the Intel ISEF; 47 percent of the competitors at this year's Intel ISEF are young women. The majority of students participating -- 87 percent -- attend public high schools. This year, eight students have already applied for patents and an additional 146 students intend to patent their projects. The students are interested in more than science, however. About 45 percent of this year's attendees participate in school-related sports activities and 20 percent are involved in student government. Music is also a popular interest; more than 60 percent of the students play a musical instrument. Almost 40 percent are involved in community service or volunteer activities, and 30 percent are very active in their church or temple youth group.

The Competition
The Intel ISEF is organized and administered by Science Service, a nonprofit organization founded in Washington, D.C., in 1921. The mission of Science Service is to advance the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs. Since 1949, Science Service has administered the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF); Intel became the title sponsor of the ISEF in 1997. Additional information about the Intel ISEF is available on Intel's Web site at www.intel.com/about/corporateresponsibility/education/isef/index.htm.

Science Service also administers the Science Talent Search, which is America's oldest and most highly regarded precollege science contest. Begun in 1942 as a partnership between the Westinghouse Foundation and Science Service, Intel became the title sponsor of the Science Talent Search in 1998. Science Service also publishes Science News, an international weekly news magazine of science that reaches 225,000 subscribers and some 1.2 million readers.

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