Fast Facts and FAQ's about Intel International Science
& Engineering Fair 2008

Fast Facts:

 1. Intel ISEF brings together nearly 1,500 young scientists and inventors.

2. Students from all 50 states and approximately 47 countries will compete.

3.  An estimated $4 million in awards and scholarships will be distributed to winners.

4. There are more than 550 Intel ISEF Affiliated Fairs around the world from which top students are selected to compete at the annual Intel ISEF.

5. Over 800 individual and team awards are presented annually at Intel ISEF. 

6. In addition to awards from the Intel Foundation and Category Presenters there will be approximately $1.5 million in scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips & lab equipment awarded from nearly 80 other corporate, professional and government sponsors.

7. The Intel ISEF annually includes over 1,200 judges.

8.  Science Service, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has been coordinating the ISEF since 1950.

9. Intel became the ISEF Title Sponsor in 1996, and the first Intel ISEF was 1997. The 2008 Fair in Atlanta will be the 12th year of Intel sponsorship.

10. Agilent Technologies has been involved as a sponsor of the Intel ISEF since 2001, and 2008 will be the fourth year that Agilent Technologies will be the Presented by Sponsor and has agreed to continue at this level through 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is Intel ISEF?
 A: The Intel ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition. Intel ISEF brings together middle and high school students, teachers, corporate executives, and government officials from around the world. Students compete for more than $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment and scientific trips.

Q: How many years has Intel ISEF been held?
A: 58 years.  The first ISEF was held in 1950 in Philadelphia, Pa.

Q: Who administers ISEF?
A: Working directly with local Host Committees, Science Service has administered the Fair for 57 years.  Founded in 1921, Science Service’s mission is to advance the public understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages.  For 85 years, the 501(c) (3) non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., has encouraged students, parents, teachers and communities to explore the vast world of science.  

Q: Who sponsors ISEF?
A: Intel has been the title sponsor of the ISEF since 1996.  Agilent Technologies will be the Presented by sponsor for the Intel ISEF 2008.  Sponsors are sought and welcomed at the local and regional levels.


Q: How did Atlanta become the 2008 Intel ISEF host city?
A: Competing against numerous other cities in the U.S., Georgia Tech and University of Georgia, along with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau made a successful bid for the Intel ISEF 2008.  Atlanta, under leadership from the Science Awareness Foundation of Georgia, will host the Intel ISEF 2008.  The Intel ISEF is held in a different city each May.


Q: What are the Host City's responsibilities?
A: The Host City Committee is responsible for securing facilities, recruiting judges, recruiting volunteers, and arranging tours, as well as raising more than two million for Intel ISEF support. Additionally, Host Cities enjoy the pride of hosting an international event, and, in the process, generate up to $10 million for the local economy, increase participation in local science fairs and raise awareness for the importance of hands on science research and scientific literacy.


Q: How many students participate in Intel ISEF?
A: Each year between 4 and 5 million students enter science research projects in local and regional fairs world-wide, and approximately 1,500 of those students earn the right to compete at Intel ISEF.

Q: How do students get to Intel ISEF?
A: Students first compete at one of over 550 Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs around the world. Each affiliated fair sends a maximum of two individual finalists and one team project to compete at Intel ISEF.


Q: In what disciplines do students compete?
A: Beginning in 2007, Students will compete for scholarships in 17 categories: Animal Sciences, Behavioral & Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Engineering, Energy & Transportation, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Mathematical Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Microbiology, Physics & Astronomy, Plant Sciences, and Team Projects Categories.


Q: What are the awards?
A: More than 800 individual and team awards are expected to be presented at the Intel ISEF 2008.  Each entry will be judged at least four times with Category Awards given in first, second, third and fourth place. Awards are $3,000, $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively in each of the 17 categories. Additional awards worth over $1.5 million will include tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips, and laboratory equipment provided by Intel, Science Service, and nearly 80 other corporate, professional, and government sponsors. The top three winners of the Intel ISEF each receive a $50,000 scholarship.  Three other top winners receive an all-expense paid trip to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden.


Q: Who are the judges?
A: Approximately 1,200 science, engineering, and industry professionals serve annually as judges for the Intel ISEF. All judges are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and/or six years of relevant experience. Judges, who are mainly recruited by the Host City Committee, volunteer their time and pay their own travel and accommodation expenses.


Q: Is the Intel ISEF 2008 open to the public?
A: Yes, the public is invited and encouraged to attend the Intel ISEF
Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. The admission is free on Thursday.