Broadcom Foundation Announces Semifinalists in Third Annual Broadcom MASTERS Science and Engineering Competition

IRVINE, Calif. and WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

News Highlights:

• 300 semifinalists selected to compete in third annual Broadcom MASTERS® – a prestigious science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for middle schoolers
• 56 of the semifinalists are from California, followed by Texas with 33, Florida with 32, Oregon with 20 and Pennsylvania with 15
• 30 finalists to be named August 27; winner receives $25,000 in Washington, D.C., on October 1

Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public (SSP) today announced the selection of 300 students as semifinalists in the third annual Broadcom MASTERS^® – a prestigious science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for middle school students. Semifinalists' names and a state-by-state breakdown can be found at http://www.broadcomfoundation.org/masters/semifinalists/2013 or www.societyforscience.org/masters.

The Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) was created to reward and inspire sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to continue their studies in math and science throughout high school. The students are guided to follow their personal passion through a unique competition that introduces them to independent research, scientific inquiry and the engineering process via hands-on learning and teamwork in their area of interest.

"Broadcom focuses on STEM education at the middle school level because statistically there is a significant drop off in math and science during high school that can be prevented if students are encouraged to explore their skills early on," said Paula Golden, Executive Director, Broadcom Foundation and Director, Community Affairs, Broadcom Corporation. "The Broadcom MASTERS competition was designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists to take on careers in STEM that will help change our world for the better."

Semifinalist Data Points:

• Semifinalists hail from 253 middle schools in 43 states, representing 123 fairs across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• 56 of the semifinalists are from California, followed by Texas with 33, Florida with 32, Oregon with 20 and Pennsylvania with 15.
• Semifinalists were selected from more than 1,695 applicants after rigorous evaluation and judging conducted by distinguished scientists, engineers and educators. Applicants qualify to enter the Broadcom MASTERS by placing in the top 10 percent of the participants at their SSP-affiliated science fairs and winning the nomination.
• Semifinalists' independent research projects include a range of topics such as:
  • A Smartphone-Based Water Safety System
  • Bee Happy, Bee Healthy: Improving the Health of Bee Hives
  • WiFi Watchdog: Application to Observe the Indoor Mobility of Senior Citizens
  • Magic of Matter: Subatomic Particles and the Mysteries of the Universe
  • 'Happy Meals' or Healthy Meals: An Analysis of Kids Meals at the Top 25 US Chain Restaurants
  • Meltdown: Developing a Predictive Model to Measure the Impact of Global Warming on Ocean Levels
  • Bayesian Inference Model to Reduce False Positives in Mammography
• The 30 Broadcom MASTERS finalists will be announced on August 27. Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., September 27 – October 1 to showcase their science fair projects and compete in a four-day STEM competition for awards and prizes, including the top education award of $25,000 presented by the Samueli Foundation.

"We are thrilled to reward this group of young students by recognizing their early dedication and passion and motivating their continued pursuit of excellence," said Rick Bates, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Society for Science & the Public. "They are some of the best young minds in the Unites States and SSP joins our partners at Broadcom in seeing the bright and limitless promise of their future."

Sponsored by Broadcom Foundation, a non-profit public benefit corporation funded by Broadcom Corporation, the Broadcom MASTERS is a program of Society for Science & the Public. SSP has run some of the world's most prestigious science competitions for more than eight decades.

In total, Broadcom Foundation and classroom partner Elmer's^®  Products, Inc. will contribute more than $500,000 in prizes, awards and rebates to nominees, entrants, semifinalists, finalists, and their teachers and schools. In recognition of the role teacher's play in the success of their students, each semifinalist classroom will receive a collection of Sally Ride Science Career Books.

Resources:

For more information on the Broadcom MASTERS, visit the Broadcom Foundation and SSP websites or visit Broadcom Foundation's Newsroom and read the B-Inspired Blog. To keep up with the Broadcom MASTERS on Twitter, use hashtag #brcmMASTERS or follow Broadcom and SSP. And to stay connected, visit the Broadcom MASTERS and SSP Facebook pages.

About Broadcom Foundation

Broadcom Foundation was founded to inspire and enable young people throughout the world to enter careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through partnerships with local schools, colleges, universities and non-profit organizations. Broadcom Foundation is the proud sponsor of the Broadcom MASTERS®, a program of Society for Science & the Public – a premier science and engineering competition for middle school children. The Foundation's mission is to advance education in STEM by funding research, recognizing scholarship and increasing opportunity. Learn more at www.broadcomfoundation.org.  

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM), a FORTUNE 500® company, is a global leader and innovator in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom® products seamlessly deliver voice, video, data and multimedia connectivity in the home, office and mobile environments.  With the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and embedded software solutions, Broadcom is changing the world by Connecting everything®. For more information, go to www.broadcom.com.

About Society for Science & the Public

Society for Science & the Public is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the achievement of young researchers in independent research and to the public engagement in science. Established in 1921, its vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its acclaimed education competitions, including the Intel Science Talent Search, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning publications, Science News and Science News for Kids Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org.

Broadcom®, the pulse logo, Connecting everything®, the Connecting everything logo and Broadcom MASTERS® are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Broadcom Foundation; BRCM Corporate

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