Intel Science Talent Search Finalists Begin Final Phase Of The Competition

Forty Finalists in the "Junior Nobel Prize" Meet in Washington, D.C. for Week of Activities, Final Judging and Awards

The Intel STS Class of 2000 consists of 13 females and 27 males ranging in age from 15 to 18. They come from 34 schools in 14 states and the District of Columbia and were chosen from among 1,517 applicants. The students' individual research reports were judged for their research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. The finalists include:

• Helen Wiersma, an 18-year-old soccer and volleyball player from Florida, developed a new control method for Tropical Soda Apples, weeds that have infested Florida's pasture lands. Her research was inspired more than three years ago as she watched her grandfather pull these massive weeds on the family ranch. She believes she has created a cost-efficient system that is less toxic to the environment. Helen is first in her class, class vice president and band member.
• Lizhou "Lisa" Wang, a 15-year-old Hula dancer from Hawaii, developed a new method to detect gases at a molecular level. Such a process could produce sensors with higher selectivity, versatility and minimal response time in sensing volatile organic compounds such as breath, fuel and toxins. Lisa was born in the People's Republic of China and speaks Chinese and Japanese.
• Stefan Block, a 17-year-old former homeschooled student from Texas, proved that behavior training could be effective in helping adolescents detect when one of their peers was telling a lie. Such skills could be of value in child-parent relations and in children's drug abuse programs. Stefan, who is editor of his high school newspaper, has earned more than 30 academic awards and honors.
• Kristin Kover, a 17-year-old vocalist and flutist from New York, based her project on work she had done on the "Big Bang Theory." She applied mathematical modeling and computer programming techniques to generate new data and conclusions on cosmic microwave background, the expansion of the universe and the photon-neutrino interactions in the early universe. Kristin also wrote a rock opera version of Shakespeare's Macbeth that was shown on a N.Y. cable station.

This year, Intel has increased award scholarships and equipment from $330,000 to $1.25 million. The top prize will be a $100,000 college scholarship. The second-place finalist will receive a $75,000 scholarship and the third-place finalist will receive a $50,000 scholarship. Fourth- through sixth-place finalists each receive $25,000 scholarships, and seventh- through tenth-place winners each receive $20,000 scholarships. The remaining 30 finalists will each receive a $5,000 scholarship award. In addition to the scholarship awards, each of the finalists participating in the STI will receive a mobile computer with an Intel® Pentium® III processor featuring Intel® SpeedStep™ technology processor.

Schedule of Events During STI, students will join Nobel Laureates, distinguished STS alumni, federal and local government representatives, Intel executives and representatives from agencies such as the National Academy of Sciences and the National Institutes of Health at a variety of venues. Members of the press are encouraged to attend the following events:

• Wednesday, March 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST
  
  CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION
  Finalists meet and share ideas with their federal and local government representatives.
  Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Rayburn Foyer
  
  
  
• Friday, March 10 , 3-5 p.m. EST
  
  PRESS PREVIEW OF STUDENT PROJECTS
  An opportunity for reporters to speak with the finalists before the exhibit opens to the public.
  Location: National Academy of Sciences
  
  7:30-9:30 p.m. EST
  
  STS ALUMNI PANEL DISCUSSION
  Distinguished alumnae of the STS will provide insight on current events and scientific developments, as well as personal anecdotes.
  Location: National Academy of Sciences
  
  
  
• Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12, noon - 4 p.m. EST
  
  PUBLIC EXHIBITION of Intel STS Finalists' Projects
  Finalists' opportunity to display and explain their research.
  Location: National Academy of Sciences
  
  
  
• Monday, March 13 , 8-9 p.m. EST
  
  GRAND AWARDS CEREMONY
  Craig Barrett, STS alumni and Nobel Laureate Dr. Dudley Herschbach scheduled to speak and present awards.
  Location: Mayflower Hotel, Grand Ballroom

Press check-in begins at 7:30 p.m. EST in the foyer outside the Grand Ballroom. Photo opportunity immediately following the awards ceremony in the State Room.

For more information on the Intel STS and a daily online photo journal of the STI activities, visit www.intel.com/education/sts.

Background
The Intel STS provides an incentive and arena for U.S. high school seniors to complete an original research project and have it recognized by a national jury of highly-regarded professional scientists. The projects are the result of inquiry-based learning methods, which enable students to nurture critical reasoning skills and experience science through the use of the scientific method.

Participation in the STS has often served as a precursor to impressive accomplishments in science. Statistics show that 95 percent of former STS winners have pursued a branch of science as their major field of study. More than 70 percent have gone on to earn Ph.D.s or M.D.s. Alumni of the STS hold more than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors including three National Medals of Science, nine MacArthur Foundation grants, two Fields Medals and five Nobel Prizes. Many have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences or the National Academy of Engineering.

The program has been coordinated since its inception by Science Service, one of the most respected non-profit organizations advancing the cause of science. Over the past 59 years, STS has recognized more than 2,000 finalists with more than $5 million in scholarships.

For more information on Science Service or the Intel STS, visit www.sciserv.org.

Intel Innovation in Education
Intel's sponsorship of the STS is part of the Intel Innovation in Education initiative, a global, multimillion dollar effort to help realize the possibilities of science and technology in education. The goal is to prepare today's teachers and students for tomorrow's demands. Intel develops and supports education programs that help meet the needs of students and communities worldwide through improving science, math, engineering and technology education; improving education through the effective use of technology in classrooms; and broadening access to technology and technical careers.

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