ARLINGTON, Va.—The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will award 22 scholarships worth more than $175,000 to U.S. high school students at the largest pre-college global science competition May 8-13 in Los Angeles.
Every year, 1,500 students are selected as finalists to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), sponsored by the computer chip manufacturer.
The top 17 finishers in specific categories, which include animal sciences; chemistry; energy and transportation; mathematical sciences; and physics and astronomy will each take home $8,000 in ONR scholarship prize money. A select group of five students will receive a trip to London in addition to an ONR scholarship. ONR will also highlight its numerous employment and internship opportunities for high school students, including the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP).
SEAP offers high school students the opportunity to work in Navy laboratories for eight weeks during the summer.
“This fair is an opportunity for high school students to showcase their scientific talents,” said Dr. Anthony Junior, ONR’s education programs manager. “It also affords ONR an opportunity to establish mentoring relationships with the students and to expose them to Navy science and engineering careers.” Forty-five Navy judges will also participate in the science competition, including former ONR employees, reservists and academics.
Intel ISEF is one of several events ONR sponsors or participates in with the goal of encouraging students to seek careers in science, technology engineering and math (STEM). On June 15-16, ONR will gather leaders from across the military, industry, academia and nonprofits to discuss high-tech initiatives, opportunities and outreach at a STEM Forum to be held in Alexandria, Va.