SCIENCE FAIR!

International Science Fair Comes to Albuquerque

Judges and volunteers needed

The University of New Mexico is a major sponsor for “Creating a New Element,” the theme of the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, to be held in Albuquerque May 13-19. Events will take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center and Expo New Mexico.
The weeklong event is the world’s largest pre-college annual science celebration. This event brings approximately 1,500 high school student finalists from more than 47 countries, regions and territories to compete for more than $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and three grand prizes of $50,000 college scholarships.
Student competitors or finalists compete for more than $4 million in scholarships and prizes during the fair. Major universities, government agencies, military branches and businesses come to recruit from the best pool of pre-college brains in the world. The event requires 1,200 judges and 600 or more volunteers to assist with the events. Judges must have a BA/BS and a minimum of six years of experience in one of the 17 categories; they must be available to judge on May 15 and 16. Volunteers are needed for a range of duties – from ushering at event, leading school children on tours, to helping finalists set up displays. Judges and volunteers can sign up on the event Web site: www.intelisef2007.orgUNM has rallied key personnel to assist with providing needed judges and volunteers. Included in the pool of volunteers will be “communication facilitators” to represent the 19 languages students will speak at the Intel ISEF.
“Building a culture that appreciates and supports student research is our goal,” said Russ Fisher-Ives, one of the event’s co-chairs. “When the adults in the community actively encourage the kinds of activities that support students interested in learning about the world around them, we can remain competitive in the global market.”A local Host Committee, composed primarily of volunteers, will produce the event. Science Service, an organization in Washington, D.C., founded the science and engineering fair in 1950; Intel was given the title sponsorship in 1996. The event is held in a different city each year; Indianapolis was the site of the fair in 2006.
The Intel ISEF 2007 will provide an economic impact of $8 – $10 million in revenue and utilize 16,000 room nights over the course of the week. While Intel provides the title sponsorship, the host committee cannot receive Intel funding directly to produce the event.For more information visit www.intelisef2007.org. Posted by scarr at February 6, 2007 03:15 PM