The difference between you and Ada Lovelace, according to Google, is that she tried things and you did not. Starting today, Google is accepting applications to its fifth Google Science Fair. Together with LEGO Education, National Geographic, Scientific American and Virgin Galactic, Google is looking for young researchers, explorers, builders, technologist, and inventors.
No ad to show here.
The ethos of this year’s fair is that science is about observing and experimenting. Google is encouraging all interested parties to explore unanswered questions, which people have always been curious about, and in the process learning and always trying again. Google is looking for “something imaginative, or maybe even unimaginable”. Nonetheless, it has to be something that might just change the world, Google points out.
From today through 18 May 2015, students from around the world can submit projects online across all scientific fields, from biology to computer science to anthropology and everything in between. They have to be between the ages of 13 and 18.
The prizes include US$100 000 in scholarships and classroom grants from Scientific American and Google, and a National Geographic expedition to the Galapagos. There is also an opportunity to visit LEGO designers at their Denmark headquarters, and the chance to tour Virgin Galactic’s new spaceship at their Mojave Air and Spaceport.
Read more: Google has another crack at China with new YouTube channel
Also new in this year’s competition is an award to recognise an Inspiring Educator as well as a Community Impact Award honouring a project that addresses an environmental or heart challenge.
The Google Science Fair has in the past allowed use to get to know some whiz-kids. Take Mihir Garimella, winner in the 13-14 age category last year, for example. With his project “Mimicking Fruit Fly Response Patterns for Threat Evasion”, Mihir built a flying robot that attracts fruit flies running havoc in his family house in India.
So go ahead, dream big, and apply here.
