STEM | News
Google Kicks Off 4th-Annual Online Science Fair
Google this week formally launched its fourth-annual Google Science Fair, which calls on students aged 13 to 18 to submit experiments following this year's theme: "It's your turn to change the world."
The grand prize for this year's event includes $50,000 in scholarships, a $10,000 grant for the student's school, a 10-day expedition to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Expeditions, various prizes from Lego and Scientific American (two partners on the Google Science Fair) and "an incredible experience at the Virgin Galactic Spaceport."
Other prizes include:
- 15 finalist prize packages, including a Google Goodie bag, Lego Education Backpack and other prizes;
- Age category prizes (13–14, 15–16, 17–18), which include a $25,000 scholarship and other prizes;
- A Scientific American Science in Action Award, which will award $50,000 in funding and a year of mentoring for the winner who submits a project that "makes a practical difference by addressing an environmental, health or resources challenge";
- A new Google Computer Science award, which will give $25,000 and a year of mentoring to a winner who submits a project that "has the potential to change the world, through outstanding and innovative work in the field of computer science";
- A "Celebrate the School" prize, which will award $10,000 to one winner's' school;
- A "Voter's Choice" prize, which will award $10,000 to one winner; and
- And new Local awards, which will give $1,000 to projects that "receive a mark of excellence during preliminary judging and that attempt to address a locally relevant issue."
Submissions can be made now through May 12. The competition is open to students around the world. Regional finalists ill be announced in June. Winners will be announced at a special event at Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA Sept. 22.
Complete details can be found in Google's blog or on the Google Science Fair site.