National Geographic is excited to be co-sponsoring the Google Science Fair, the world’s biggest science competition for students ages 13 through 18. This competition invites students to submit creative scientific projects that could help shape our present and their future. The deadline to participate in the contest is April 4, 2011, so students are strongly encouraged to enter their projects immediately (and to make certain to get parental consent first)!!
Curious yes? Here are some more details about the contest:
Fifteen global finalists will be flown to Google headquarters in California, where they will present to a distinguished panel of judges. A finalist winner will be selected from each of the age categories, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. From these students, a Grand Prize winner will be chosen. Prizes range from $50,000 scholarships, internships, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with our co-sponsors at CERN, the LEGO group, and Scientific American.
Of course, National Geographic has long been in the business of inspiring new generations to pursue scientific knowledge through our media, Education Foundation, Geography Bee and other programs. Our investment in this project is one more opportunity to support young innovators.
Joining the panel of judges will be two of National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers: urban planner and Solar CITIES founder, Thomas Culhane, and biologist Tierney Thys, whose film series, “Strange Days on Planet Earth,” won Best Series at the Wildscreen Festival. Also on the panel is one of our Explorers-in-Residence, geneticist Spencer Wells of The Genographic Project and “The Journey of Man” series.
We are especially happy to be providing one of the Grand Prize awards: a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands for the winner(s) and one parent(s) or guardian(s). They will travel aboard National Geographic Endeavour, our premier expedition ship. While on shore, they can spend time exploring the archipelago and meeting local residents such as Lonesome George, the last surviving tortoise of his kind and plenty of penguins, sea lions, finches, and more.
We look forward to continuing this partnership with the Google Science Fair for many years to come. To all of the students out there reading this post, we encourage you to participate in this an incredible opportunity! To our other readers, we hope you will continue pursuing your passions for scientific exploration in other creative ways.
**Students: The deadline to enter the contest is April 4. Submit your project today and make sure to have your parent or guardian approve of your entry!!
- Learn more about the Google Science Fair.
- Read more about the National Geographic judges.