By Olubunmi Adeniyi
Lagos. February 11, 2013: Search giant, Google has announced its third annual Google Science Fair for teenagers around the world to explore and pursue their interest in science and technology.
In partnership with National Geographic Expeditions and European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), Lego Group, the toy maker, the Google Science Fair sets out to find the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Students can enter the competition in 13 different languages before the deadline for final submissions on April 30, 2013, says Google.
According to the search company, in June, 90 regional finalists will be chosen; 30 from the Americas, 30 from Asia Pacific and 30 from Europe/Middle East/Africa. Judges will then select the top 15 finalists, who will be flown to Google headquarters in California for the live, final event in September.
At the finals, a panel of distinguished international judges consisting of renowned scientists and tech innovators will select the top winners in each age category, before one is selected as the Grand Prize winner.
“Winners of the 2013 Science Fair will receive a US$50,000 scholarship from Google, access to Scientific American archives for the selected participant’s school and also benefit from a trip to the Galapagos, courtesy of National Geographic Expeditions and European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) experiences.”
Scientific American will also award a $50,000 Science in Action prize to one project that makes a practical difference by addressing a social, environmental or health issue.
In addition, the public will have the opportunity to get to know the 15 finalists through a series of Google+ Hangouts on Air, before voting for the Inspired Idea Award, an award selected by the public for the project with the greatest potential to change the world, the search company says.
Google will also award a $10,000 cash grant from Google, and an exclusive Google+ Hangout with CERN, to the Grand Prize winner’s school.
The last two years recorded the participation of 90 counties in 13 languages.