Broadcom MASTERS Announces the Top 300 Middle School Innovators in National STEM Competition

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public today announced the Top 300 competitors in the 9^th annual Broadcom MASTERS® — the nation's premier Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competition for middle school students. The Broadcom MASTERS, a program of the Society for Science & the Public, seeks to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators to solve the grand challenges of the 21^st century.

The Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS include:

• A nearly equal number of girls and boys, with about 52% males and 47% females.
• Students from 37 states, plus the District of Columbia, with California (77), Florida (40), Texas (29), Pennsylvania (16) and Utah (12) fielding the most Top 300 competitors.
• 199 students from public schools, 76 from private schools, 16 from charter schools and nine from home schools.

The students' names and a state-by-state breakdown of the Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS can be found at https://student.societyforscience.org/2019-top-300-masters.

As the only middle school STEM competition that leverages Society-affiliated science fairs as a critical component of the STEM talent pipeline, the Broadcom MASTERS consists of the top 10 percent of 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade projects entered in Society-affiliated fairs around the country.

Thirty of the Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS will be selected as finalists by a nationally ranked panel of scientists, engineers and educators on September 18, after which they will travel to Washington, DC to compete in a four-day STEM competition for more than $100,000 in awards and prizes. The finalists will participate in team challenges aimed at demonstrating their mastery of 21^st Century skills in each of the STEM areas, meet with government officials and showcase their projects for the public in Washington, DC on October 26. 

While in Washington, DC, the top 30 Broadcom MASTERS finalists will be competing for the coveted $25,000 Samueli Prize, the $10,000 Lemelson Award for Invention, the $10,000 Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation, the $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement and the newly created $10,000 STEM Talent Award, sponsored by DoD STEM.

"Congratulations to the Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS, the top middle school STEM students in the country," said Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News. "Middle school is a time of exceptional change and growth, and we are thrilled to be able to provide encouragement and support to these students as they continue their education and develop their interest in STEM." 

The Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS' independent STEM research projects tackle a broad range of challenges such as:

• Using machine learning and infrared technology to detect drunk drivers
• Reducing ocean acidification using aquatic plants
• Investigating the role of melatonin and Omega-3 in healing brain injuries
• Using nanoparticles to improve air filtration systems
• Examining the effects of vaping liquid nicotine, used in e-cigarettes

"Through the Broadcom MASTERS and the Society's network of science fairs, we are able to identify and inspire exceptional middle school scientists and engineers from across the country," said Paula Golden, President of the Broadcom Foundation. "I'm honored to congratulate the Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS who are poised to take on our world's grand challenges."

The Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS were selected from a pool of 2,348 applicants from 47 states, DC, and two US territories.  These competitors were evaluated by a panel of distinguished scientists, engineers and educators and judged on creativity and originality of their science fair project, their ability to engage in analysis of data and understanding of STEM principles as they relate to the real world. Each applicant was nominated to compete in the Broadcom MASTERS by placing among the top 10% of middle school competitors at Society-affiliated regional and state science fairs.

In recognition of their achievements, the Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS will receive a prize package containing an award ribbon; semifinalist certificate of accomplishment; Broadcom MASTERS backpack; a Broadcom MASTERS decal; a specialized Invention Journal, courtesy of The Lemelson Foundation; a one-year subscription to Wolfram Mathematica software, courtesy of Wolfram Research; and a one-year family digital subscription to Science News magazine. In recognition of the role that teachers play in the success of their students, each designated teacher also will receive a Broadcom MASTERS tote bag and a one-year digital subscription to Science News magazine.

Resources:
For more information on the Broadcom MASTERS, visit the Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public. To keep up with the Broadcom MASTERS, use hashtag #brcmMASTERS or follow Broadcom Foundation and the Society on Twitter or the Society on Instagram. And to stay connected, visit the Broadcom MASTERS and Society Facebook pages. You can also follow the Society on Snapchat (Society4Science).

About Broadcom Foundation
Founded in April 2009, the Broadcom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with its main mission to advance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education by funding research, recognizing scholarship and increasing opportunity.

The foundation inspires young people to pursue careers in STEM through its signature programs, the Broadcom MASTERS® and the Broadcom MASTERS® International, premier science and engineering competitions for middle school students around the United States and the world. Learn more at www.broadcomfoundation.org/masters.

About Society for Science & the Public
Society for Science & the Public is dedicated to the achievement of young scientists in independent research and to public engagement in science. Established in 1921, the Society is a nonprofit whose vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the International Science and Engineering Fair and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News for Students, Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).

Society for Science & the Public Press Contact:
Gayle Kansagor
703-489-1131
[email protected] 

SOURCE Society for Science & the Public

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