Press Room

INTEL SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH HONORS 300 YOUNG SCIENTISTS AS SEMIFINALISTS
New York, Virginia and California Lead with Most Semifinalists

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 11, 1999 – Society for Science & the Public and Intel Corporation today announced the names of 300 high school seniors from across the country as Semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS). Intel assumed sponsorship of this 58-year-old national treasure—often considered the Nobel Prize of science competitions for U.S. high school seniors—from Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1998. On Jan. 25, judges will announce the 40 Finalists who will travel to Washington, D.C., March 3-8 for a week of activities including final judging and awards.

The Semifinalists, all high schools seniors ranging in age from 14 to 19, were selected from 1,470 applications submitted from 556 high schools in 49 states, Puerto Rico and an overseas American school in Egypt. New York captured the most Semifinalists with 145 (48 percent), followed by Virginia with 21 (7 percent) and California with 20 (6 percent). Of the Semifinalists, 157 were males (52 percent), 143 were females (48 percent). The high schools with the most Semifinalists were Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia (15), Montgomery Blair High School in Maryland (11), and Stuyvesant High School (10) and Bronx High School of Science (9) in New York City.

Students were judged on their individual research reports for their research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking. The research projects cover all disciplines of science, including chemical, physical, mathematics, engineering, social and biological. All Intel Science Talent Search entries were reviewed and judged by top scientists from a variety of disciplines and overseen by J. Richard Gott, Ph.D., professor of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University and former Science Talent Search Finalist in 1965.

All Semifinalists and their teachers are honored with certificates of merit. In addition, Society for Science & the Public recommends these students to select colleges and universities for admission and financial assistance. The 40 Finalists compete in a respected forum where they present high-level research projects, gain national recognition and visibility at some of America's top universities, and receive monetary college scholarships.

Intel Science Talent Search Background

The Science Talent Search has been administered for 58 years by Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that has promoted public understanding and appreciation of science through publications, outreach programs and science education programs for over 75 years.

While safeguarding the traditions and heritage that have made the Science Talent Search such a prestigious competition, Intel is working closely with Society for Science & the Public to increase the number of high school students and teachers involved and infuse technology into the competition as it moves into the 21st century. This year, for example, Intel has increased the total scholarships awarded to Finalists from $205,000 to $330,000 through a grant from the Intel Foundation. The top prize will be a $50,000 four-year scholarship; the second- prize winner receives a $40,000 scholarship and the third-prize winner receives a $30,000 scholarship. Fourth- through sixth-prize winners receive $20,000 each; seventh- through 10th-prize winners each receive $15,000. The other 30 finalists each receive a $3,000 scholarship award.

Throughout the week prior to the awards banquet in March, Finalists will join Nobel Laureates, Intel executives and representatives from agencies such as the National Academy of Science and the National Institute of Health at a variety of venues including a Congressional Reception and dinner at the National Academy of Sciences on March 5. Ted Hoff, Intel co-inventor of the microprocessor in 1971 and former STS Finalist, will address the students at the dinner. In addition, Dr. Craig R. Barrett, Intel's chief executive officer and president, will speak and present awards on March 8th.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at Intel's Web site.

*Third party marks and brands are property of their respective holders.

1999 Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalist Data

For more information, contact:

Meredith Smith
Intel Corporation
(408) 765-2834
meredith.smith@intel.com

Ann Korando
Society for Science & the Public
(202) 872-5148
akorando@societyforscience.org