Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Starts Today

Over the course of this week, 1,611 high school students from 59 countries, regions and territories will share ideas, showcase cutting-edge research and inventions, and compete for international recognition and more than $4 million in prizes.

"Once again the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair displays the remarkable creativity and ingenuity of young people from around the world," said Shelly Esque, vice president of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group. "They demonstrate deep passion for math and science and remind us that these subjects are the foundation of innovation, creativity, and discovery. Every year, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair gives us reasons to be excited – and confident – about the future."

For the first time, this year's top winner will receive the Gordon E. Moore Award, a $75,000 prize from the Intel Foundation in honor of the Intel co-founder and retired chairman and CEO. Moore is perhaps best known for “Moore's Law,” which for more than 45 years has guided the semiconductor industry to deliver ever-more powerful chips while decreasing the cost of electronics. Two additional top winners will receive Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards of $50,000 each.

The 2010 finalists' independent research projects include such topics as earthquake detection, alternative energy, climate change, health care and robotics. Twenty-four percent of 2010 participants have a patent or are considering applying for one for their research.

Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, owns and has administered the International Science and Engineering Fair since its inception in 1950.

“The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair provides the world's most talented young researchers with the opportunity to come together and showcase the quality and depth of their scientific discovery on the global stage,” said Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public. “We are confident that this program, now in its 61st year, will continue to inspire young people from around the world to pursue their curiosities.”

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2010 finalists were selected from 539 affiliated fairs around the world. Their projects are evaluated onsite by more than 1,000 judges from nearly every scientific discipline, each typically with a Ph.D. or the equivalent amount of related professional experience in one of the scientific disciplines. A full listing of finalists is available at www.societyforscience.org/intelisef2010. The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2010 is funded jointly by Intel and the Intel Foundation with additional support from dozens of other corporate, academic, government and science-focused sponsors. More specifically, this year, Google is the premier sponsor and Silicon Valley host.

Schedule of Events:

• Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini will open the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2010 at a ceremony tonight at 7 PDT at the San Jose State University Events Center.
• The finalists will display their projects and discuss their research with the public and media on May 13 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. PDT at the San Jose Convention Center.
• The Gordon E. Moore Award and other prizes will be awarded to the top winners at the Grand Awards Ceremony on May 14 from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PDT at the San Jose State University Events Center.

More information about the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2010 can be found at www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/events/isef2010. To view ongoing updates, join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/pages/Inspired-by-Education/32855637280 and follow Twitter updates at www.twitter.com/intelinspire. To learn more about Society for Science & the Public, visit www.societyforscience.org.

The Intel Education Initiative
Intel's commitment to education extends far beyond the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Over the past decade alone, Intel has invested more than $1 billion, and its employees have donated more than 2.5 million hours toward improving education in 50 countries. To learn more about the Intel Education Initiative, visit www.intel.com/education and the CSR@Intel blog at blogs.intel.com/csr. To join Intel's community of people sharing their stories with the hope of becoming a catalyst for action and a voice for change in global education, visit www.inspiredbyeducation.com.