In a post today on the Official Google Blog, the company announced the 2012 Google Science Fair, a worldwide event for students aged 13-18.
Along with our partners CERN, The LEGO Group, National Geographic and Scientific American, today we’re launching the second annual Google Science Fair, the largest online science competition in the world, open globally to students ages 13-18.
Students can enter as individuals, or in teams of up to three people. Entrants will be classified into three age categories: 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. All entry submissions will be done via the Internet.
Google and its partners aim to make this a truly international event; entries can be submitted in thirteen languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Spanish and Russian. Entries can be submitted beginning today, January 12, up until 11:59pm GMT on April 1, 2012.
The first round of judging will select 90 regional finalists, 30 each from the Americas, from Aisa/Pacific, and from Europe/Middle East/Africe. The judges will then select 15 finalists, who will be flown to Mountain View, CA for the final event on July 21, 2012, where a final round of judging will take place, selecting a winner from each of the three age groups
Last year’s Fair produced some fascinating projects; and, contrary to gender stereotypes, all three of the top winners were girls. This year’s winners can look forward to some fairly substantial prizes, including college scholarships of $ 50,000 and $ 25,000; internships at Google, LEGO, and CERN; and a ten-day excursion to the Galapagos Islands on board the National Geographic Endeavour.
Google and its partners are to be commended for organizing and sponsoring the Science Fair. If last years’ event is any indication, it will produce some very interesting projects from some very clever and creative kids.
Posted by Rich 
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