Semifinalists Named in 57^th Annual Science Talent Search

Washington, D.C., January 13 –Three hundred high school seniors from 168 high schools across the United States were named today as Semifinalists in the 57^th Annual Science Talent Search (STS).

These students were selected from an applicant pool of 1,581 entries. The students are from 594 schools in 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and overseas American schools in Canada, Germany, Korea, and Taiwan. The Semifinalists range in age from 16 to 19 years and include 171 men and 129 women.

The Semifinalists are now eligible to compete for 40 scholarship awards worth $205,000 in the nation’s oldest science scholarship competition. The 40 Finalists will be announced on Tuesday, January 27^th. They will attend the six-day Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C. in March to compete for a first-prize scholarship of $40,000, one $30,000 scholarship, one $20,000 scholarship, three $15,000 scholarships, and four $10,000 scholarships. Each of the remaining 30 Finalists will receive $1,000 scholarships.

The 57^th STS is sponsored by the Westinghouse Foundation and Society for Science & the Public. Society for Science & the Public is a not for profit international science education and news organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs.

In addition to being eligible to be named one of the 40 Finalist in the STS all 300 Semifinalists will receive special honors certificates. Their names will be provided to colleges and universities throughout the nation. Admissions officers have long regarded this list as a valuable tool for selecting highly promising students and in awarding financial aid.

Former STS contestants have gone on to receive several of the most coveted prizes in the science world. For example, five former STS winners have won the Nobel Prize, two have earned Fields Medals – the highest mathematics award. Former STS contestants have also received MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and Sloan Research Fellowships. Many have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and are members of the National Academy of Engineering.

Once again, New York captured the highest number of Semifinalists with a total of 144. Other states with a large number of Semifinalists include Maryland with 21, California with 19, Florida with 17, Virginia with 15, and Pennsylvania with 11. Massachusetts and Texas have 7 Semifinalists. Illinois has 6 and Ohio has 5 Semifinalists. Michigan and Colorado each have four. Connecticut, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and New Jersey each have three Semifinalists. Delaware, Missouri, Oregon, Mew Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin have two Semifinalists each. And Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, District of Columbia, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Wyoming each are represented by one Semifinalist.

"The Science Talent Search entrants have once again astounded me with the level and sophistication of their scientific research as demonstrated in their written reports," said Dr. Thomas Peter Bennett, president of Society for Science & the Public. "It is a positive statement about the quality of young Americans interested in science today and the academic opportunities being provided to them by the American educational system. And ultimately, it is a testament to the devotion of the parents, the teachers, and the researchers in the scientific community who have taken the extra time and energy necessary to mentor and encourage these students in their academic extra-curricular activities. "

1998 STS Semifinalists