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Google Holds Global Science Fair
theodp writes "Google put out an APB Tuesday, looking for young Einstein and Curie wannabes for its new global online Google Science Fair (nice Rube Goldberg YouTube promo, btw). Students between the ages of 13-18 with access to a computer, the Net and a browser can compete for prizes that include a trip to the Galapagos Islands, scholarships, and a five-day trip to CERN. Google hasn't yet figured out a way to web-enable science fair boards, so projects like Crystal Meth — Friend or Foe will have to be created as Google Sites (example). Unlike a typical local school science fair, the judges here are the real deal, so you can forget about blaming scientifically-clueless students, parents and teachers for your loss this time, kids!"
Put up a message board where the kids post their project and a detailed summary with pictures, research, etc. The judges then pick out the outstanding ideas, and google flies them out to give a real life presentation. Maybe 50 or so projects could be selected. They could hold a public event as well. Fixed that for ya, Google.
If my child was 13, she would love to participate in this.
Last year she won the regional science fair here (which was open to 11-17 year olds), but could not progress to the national contest (which was open to 13-17 year olds).
For reference, a link to her project site . Hopefully, this will continue to run in the future, when she is eligible.
Google boasts that they've assembled a "panel of acclaimed scientists including Nobel Laureates, tech visionaries and household names". The only Nobel Laureate on their list is Kary Mullis, who has a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction. His bio conveniently does not mention his AIDS denialism, Climate change denial, and his belief in astrology.
It's too bad I'm no longer a teenager... I'm sure would you have loved my project "Why Astrology is Bunk, and AIDS Denial is Dangerous"
Procrastination Man strikes again!