Intel Encourages More Youth to Participate in Math and Science

$120 Million Global Investment for Science Competitions, Youth Outreach, Online Science Community

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Intel Corporation is committing $120 million over the next 10 years to stimulate more interest among youth in math and science, so they will be prepared to address global challenges in innovative ways. The funding from the Intel Foundation for its long-time science competition partner Society for Science & the Public supports the company’s historical commitment to the Intel Science Talent Search and Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The support also adds a robust youth outreach program plus an online science community and science fair alumni network which includes a mentoring component.

Intel’s new commitment, announced today at the US News and World Report Education Summit at the National Press Club, was coupled with a national challenge to states to send more young people to the science competitions that support tomorrow’s innovators. In 2008, only 19 states had finalists participate in the Intel Science Talent Search.

“I can’t think of a more critical time to invest in math and science education,” said Will Swope, Intel’s vice president and general manager, Corporate Affairs Group. “We will work with districts, schools and teachers around the world to help get students excited and engaged in math and science -- subjects that provide the foundation for innovation.”

In 2008, Intel Science Talent Search finalists represented 35 U.S. high schools. New York sent 15 students, followed by Pennsylvania with four and Texas with three.

International student participation in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, which is currently at about 30 percent, will be increased in part through an outreach program with student research programs at its core. The online scientific community that will be created will encourage networking, as well as host an alumni network of past science competition participants, who will provide mentoring to new and hopeful scientists.

Society for Science & the Public (SSP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, owns and has administered the Science Talent Search since its inception in 1942 and International Science and Engineering Fair since 1950. Elizabeth Marincola, president of SSP, said, “This remarkable commitment by Intel, and its longstanding partnership with SSP, advances substantially our goal to promote science education and to engage the public in science, on which the health of our nation and the global community depend.”

The $120 million is the largest single commitment in the history of the Intel Foundation. It extends its title sponsorships of the Intel Science Talent Search, which began in 1998, through 2016, and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which began in 1996, through 2019. These competitions are just one aspect of Intel’s annual investment of more than $100 million to improve education and technology literacy around the world. Intel has invested over $1 billion and Intel employees have donated over 2 million hours in the past decade alone toward improving education in 50 countries.

To learn more about Intel’s commitment to education around the world, visit www.intel.com/education and to join Intel’s community of people inspired by education, visit www.inspiredbyeducation.com. To learn more about Society for Science & the Public, visit www.societyforscience.org.

About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.

Intel, the Intel logo, and Intel Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.