Intel Science Talent Search Receives A Record Number Of Applications From Young Scientists

More than $600,000 Awarded to 300 Semifinalists and Their Schools

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2004 - Intel Corporation is awarding more than $600,000 to 300 young scientists and their high schools for reaching the semifinals of the Intel Science Talent Search (STS). A record 1,652 students applied this year, which is a promising sign as America hopes to maintain its global technology leadership.

The Intel STS, America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition - often considered the "junior Nobel Prize" - provides an incentive for students to develop their scientific interests at an early age and a forum for them to share their ideas with other talented young scientists around the country. The top 300 entrants and their schools will each receive $1,000.

The Science Talent Search was created in 1942 in response to the nation's growing awareness that its security and prosperity depended on encouraging more young people to choose careers in science, mathematics and engineering. Over the past 63 years, the Intel STS has recognized more than 2,500 finalists. Alumni of the program have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors including five Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.

Intel STS Semifinalists
The 300 semifinalists hail from 36 states and Washington, D.C. The research projects cover biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, social science, and other sciences. The students range in age from 16 to 19; the schools with the most semifinalists are Stuyvesant High School in New York City with 19, followed by Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md. with 13. For a list of the 2004 semifinalists, visit www.sciserv.org/sts/63sts/04semis.asp.

The entrants were judged on their individual research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. A group of top scientists from a variety of disciplines, headed by judging chairman Dr. Andrew Yeager of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, reviewed the research projects.

From the 300 semifinalists, 40 finalists will be announced on Jan. 28. These students will take an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the Science Talent Institute where they will participate in final judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more than $500,000. The winners will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions and announced at a black-tie banquet on March 16.

Administering the program since its inception is Science Service, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs. For more information on Science Service, visit www.sciserv.org.

Intel's sponsorship of the STS is part of the Intel® Innovation in Education initiative, a collaboration with educators around the world to improve the quality of science, mathematics, engineering and technology education to help students develop the higher-level thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.

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