Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-college science competition. The Intel ISEF annually brings together an estimated 1,500 young scientists from approximately 50 countries to share and reward their independent research, showcase cutting-edge science, and compete for nearly $4 million in awards and scholarships.
The Intel ISEF is the world’s only international science fair representing all life sciences for high-school level students. These students push the boundaries of science research and are poised to lead the world into the next generation of discovery, growthand prosperity. The Intel ISEF is held in a different city each year, and the Intel ISEF 2008 was held in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Intel ISEF finalists are selected from over 500 Intel ISEF-affiliated fairs held worldwide. All Intel ISEF-affiliated fairs consist of at least five participating high schools and/or a minimum of 50 students. Each affiliated fair is permitted to send two individual projectfinalists and one team project to compete in the Intel ISEF.
View video from Intel ISEF 2007 in Albuquerque, NM.
Student Awards
More than 800 individual student and team awards are presented at the Intel ISEF. The Intel Young Scientist Scholarship, the top prize, is awarded to three finalists who each receive a $50,000 college scholarship. The Intel Best of Category award of a $5,000 scholarship and a high-performance computer goes to the top-scoring student in each project category. These students’ school and fair directors will each receive $1,000 to benefit science and math education and encourage more student involvement in science. For the Grand awards, prizes are given for the first ($3,000) second ($1,500), third ($1000) and fourth place ($500) projects in each category. In addition, special awards worth more than $1.5 million include scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips and laboratory equipment provided by Intel and Society for Science & the Public, as well as nearly 70 other corporate, professional and government sponsors.
Judging
More than 1,000 experts from all fields of science and engineering are selected to judge the exhibits and interact with the students. All Intel ISEF judges must have a Ph.D. or six years of experience in a field equivalent to that being judged.
Sponsorship
The ISEF has been coordinated since 1950 by Society for Science and the Public (formerly Science Service), one of the most respected non-profit organizations advancing the cause of science. As title sponsor, Intel Corporation commits more than $3 million annually to develop and promote the competition. In addition, each year a volunteer committee representing the host city raises funds to sponsor events throughout the fair.
Intel Corporation
Intel’s sponsorship of the Intel ISEF is part of the Intel® Innovation in Education initiative, a collaboration with educators around the world to improve the quality of science and mathematics education and to help students develop the higher level thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy.