Google Science and Engineering Fair Spurs Student Innovations

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/02/15

The Google Science Fair has opened for entries. Students from 13 to 18 almost anywhere in the world can submit their projects online. Topics cover 14 science and technology areas and run from astrophysics to robotics. The science fair site also includes age-specific lesson plans and worksheets to be used by teachers who want to work with their own students in developing projects.

The format for the projects can follow one of two tracks. The first is the standard scientific method: The student poses a question and hypothesis, gives an account of the research followed, explains how the experiment was carried out, describes the results and offers a conclusion. Or the student can follow the engineering design process: defining the problem, doing research, specifying requirements, brainstorming solutions, choosing the best solution, doing development work, building a prototype and testing and redesigning.

However, the Google touch is also evident in this competition. Entrants must possess a Google account; and they're encouraged to post sub-two-minute videos on YouTube or a slideshow on Google Slides.

Judging will include multiple criteria such as how "inspirational" the entry or idea is and its capacity to "make an impact."

Prizes include major scholarships ($50,000 for the grand prize winner, for example), "goodie" bags from LEGO Education and Google, mentoring from Scientific American, a National Geographic expedition to the Galápagos Archipelago, five-figure project funding, tours of the Virgin Galactic space center and classroom grants.
Photo Courtesy of Scott Stuppi.

Last year's winners featured projects on wearable sensors "for [aging] society," cleaning up oil sands waste, converting breath to speech for the disabled, and the use of natural bacteria to combat world hunger, among many others.

The submission deadline is May 19, 2015. Ninety regional finalists will be announced in July, global finalists in August, and winners in September. Twenty finalists and their parents or guardians will travel to Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA to present their project to the judges and compete for all of the awards.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • magnifying glass with AI icon in the center

    Google Releases Learning-Themed AI Mode Features for Search

    Ahead of back-to-school season, Google has introduced new AI Mode features in Search, including image and PDF queries on desktop, a Canvas tool for planning, real-time help with Search Live, and Lens integration in Chrome.

  • sunlit classroom with laptops on every desk, each displaying a glowing AI speech bubble icon above the screen

    Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot to Become Available for Teen Students

    This summer, Microsoft is expanding availability of its Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot products for students aged 13 and older. Administrators will be able to grant access for students based on their institution's plans and preferences, the company announced in a blog post.