Over 70 students of Indian origin, most of them from within the United States, were among 300 U.S. high school seniors who were named 2016 semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search Jan. 6.
The semifinalists were selected from 1,750 entrants hailing from 512 high schools in 43 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and six American and international high schools overseas.
Each semifinalist receives a $1,000 award from the Intel Foundation with an additional $1,000 going to his or her school, resulting in $600,000 in total semifinalist awards. The year 2016 marks Intel’s 18th year of sponsoring this competition.
The Society for Science and the Public, the nonprofit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, which has owned and administered the Science Talent Search since its inception in 1942, said that 40 of the 300 semifinalists will be named Intel Science Talent Search finalists Jan. 20.
The finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. from March 10-16, where they will compete for more than $1 million in awards.
The winners will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions and announced at a black-tie, invitation-only gala awards ceremony at the National Building Museum March 15.
The prizes include three Medal of Distinction awards of $150,000 each, which will be awarded to students who show exceptional scientific potential in three areas – basic research, global good and innovation. Additionally, there are three second-place awards of $75,000 each, and three third-place awards of $35,000 each. Each finalist receives at least $7,500.
“The Science Talent Search celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Our alumni over the past three quarters of a century have gone on to successful STEM careers and to achieve top honors and recognition in their chosen fields,” said Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science and the Public, and publisher of the Science News media group.
“As a fellow alumna, I’m thrilled to congratulate the 300 semifinalists and welcome them to the Intel STS family. They are the next generation of innovators, and we look forward to witnessing the impact they will have on making the world a better place,” Ajmera said in a statement.
The competition overall awards $1.6 million to provide the opportunities and resources that students need to become the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and STEM professionals.
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