Intel Press Release

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Welcomes Top Young Scientists from around the World

50th Anniversary of the World's Largest International Science Competition Brings Together High School Students from 47 Countries to Philadelphia

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 30, 1999 - Intel Corporation, Science Service and the Philadelphia Host Committee will welcome more than 1,100 students from 47 countries to Philadelphia from May 2-8 for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest pre-college science competition. Competing for more than $2 million in awards and scholarships, finalists will present research addressing a wide variety of scientific issues relevant to everyday life -- from innovative ways to test blood to new uses for the computer, to the decontamination of water. Winners will be announced Friday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

The Intel ISEF, often called the "Olympics" of science fairs because of its international reach, scientific breadth and size, is the only global science fair representing all life sciences for students in grades nine through twelve. The over 1,100 finalists emerge from a field of approximately 1 million students in grades nine through twelve who compete in nearly 500 local Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs in 1998-1999.

The student projects on display are an excellent example of "inquiry-based" learning which employs a hands-on approach to teaching science: students learn through research and experimentation, not just through lectures and books. Project-based research has been proven to improve student learning, problem-solving and understanding of science. Science competitions are considered an effective means of increasing student interest in science - an important step in improving the relatively poor science scores among U.S. students in particular.

Judging and Awards
At the Intel ISEF, students will compete in one of 14 life science categories ranging from biochemistry to zoology and a team project category. Over 800 professionals volunteer to judge and recognize 1,159 of the world's most promising young scientists. This year's judges include university faculty, industrial scientists and engineers, Intel Fellows, representatives of private and federal research centers and agencies, and medical researchers. Students and their projects are judged on creative ability, scientific thought or engineering goals, thoroughness, skill and clarity.

Awards given at the Intel ISEF include:

  • Pinnacle Awards: The top awards are the three Intel "Young Scientist Scholarship" awards, a $40,000 college scholarship; the two top-scoring individuals visit the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden; and the two top-scoring teams visit the European Union Contest for Young Scientists and the International Fair of South America.
  • Intel Awards: Additional awards from Intel are the "Best of Category" awards worth $5,000, "Intel Achievement" awards worth $3,000 and "Best Use of a PC" awards for an Intel Architecture-based computer.
  • Grand Awards: Grand Awards are given in each of the 15 categories, including the team category, in first, second, third and fourth places. Awards are $3,000 for First Place, $1,500 for Second Place, $1,000 for Third Place and $500 for Fourth Place.
  • Special Awards: Organizations representing a wide variety of scientific disciplines affiliate with the Intel ISEF as Special Awards Organizations. These governmental, industrial and educational institutions present grants, scholarships, internships, and scientific field trips.

In addition to the student awards, teachers will be nominated by their peers and affiliated fair directors to receive the Intel Excellence in Teaching Award. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated excellence in supporting the teaching and learning of science. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Schedule of Events for Media Attendance

  • Sunday, May 2: 8:00 p.m. EDT:
    Student Exchange sponsored by Scientific American with special donations by K'NEX For more information, please contact Ann Korando at Science Service at (202) 872-5148 or akorando@sciserv.org.
    Location: Reading Terminal Market
  • Monday, May 3: 8:15 p.m. EDT: Opening Ceremony
    - Over 1,100 of the world's brightest high school students from 43 countries, including the US, will kick off the 50th ISEF. Speakers include: CNN's Ann Kellan, world-famous paleontologist Jack Horner, and Intel president and CEO Craig Barrett
    Location: Mann Center for the Performing Arts
  • Tuesday, May 4: 3:00 p.m. EDT: "An Evening with the Nobels"
    Sponsored by Merck & Co. Foundation. Intel ISEF participants are treated to a Q&A session with Nobel Laureates - many of whom are annual participants in the Intel ISEF.
    Location: Academy of Music
    5:30 p.m. EDT: Student Welcome Party
    Sponsored by the Philadelphia Host Committee. For more information, please contact Marion McParland, Philadelphia Host Committee PR manager, at mcparland@snip.net or (609) 428-5989.
    Location: Penns Landing
  • Wednesday, May 5: Project judging.
    Limited media interviews on request.
  • Thursday, May 6: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EDT: Student Projects Open to Public
    Sponsored by DuPont. Members of the scientific community, local students and Philadelphia residents interact with young scientists to view and discuss projects. Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center
    5:30 p.m. EDT: Special Awards Ceremony
    For more information, please contact Ann Korando at Science Service at (202) 872-5148 or akorando@sciserv.org.
    Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center

    8:30 p.m. EDT: 50th ISEF Anniversary Celebration
    Sponsored by Nasdaq - Amex. Intel ISEF participants and alumnae celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Science & Engineering Fair with the world's largest strawberry shortcake.
    Location:Pennsylvania Convention Center
  • Friday, May 7: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EDT and 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST: Student Projects Open to Public
    Members of the scientific community, local students and residents interact with young scientists to view and discuss projects.
    Location:Pennsylvania Convention Center
    8:30 a.m. EDT: Special Awards Ceremony
    For more information, please contact Ann Korando at Science Service at (202) 872-5148 or akorando@sciserv.org. Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center

    1:00 p.m. EDT: GRAND AWARDS CEREMONY
    Speakers include Gerald W. Deas, M.D., founder of the Sickle Cell Victims Organization and television commentator in New York.
    Location:Pennsylvania Convention Center

The Participants
The Intel ISEF, through regional fairs held worldwide, draws students from over half of the high schools in the United States, representing every state in the union. Forty-seven countries sent finalists, including Brazil, Israel, Russia, South Africa and Japan. Nearly half of the participants were young women - an encouraging percentage given the proportion of women entering scientific and technical fields. In addition, fifteen percent of the finalists' research is in the patent process.

The projects and research presented at past Intel ISEF competitions have ranged widely in scope. In the past, projects included such varied research as a noninvasive method of measuring blood hemoglobin through the finger tip; a way of making efficient, cost- effective industrial diamonds; a program that helps computers analyze 3-D images faster; and an effective method for eliminating common bacteria from table tops. Although developed by high school students, many of the projects rival work done at the graduate level or by industry researchers. Each year, 10 to 15 percent of the finalists at the Intel ISEF are involved in the patent process.

The Program
The ISEF has been coordinated for the past 50 years by Science Service, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs. In its third year as title sponsor, Intel has committed more than $3 million to developing and promoting this competition. In addition, each year a volunteer Host Committee representing the Host City raises funds to sponsor events throughout the fair.

For more information on Science Service and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, see www.sciserv.org.

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