Broadcom Annonuce MASTERS National Science Fair Competition Semifinalists

The Broadcom MASTERS was created to reward and encourage sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to continue their studies in maths and science throughout high school by igniting a passion for innovation through a unique competition that exposes them to independent research, scientific inquiry, hands-on learning and teamwork.



Key Semifinalist Data Points:

-The 300 semifinalists come from 290 middle schools in 38 states representing 117 fairs across the United States and Puerto Rico.

-California has the greatest number of semifinalists (54), followed by Florida (26), Texas (23), Ohio (17) and Oregon (16).

-Semifinalists' individual science fair independent research projects include a range of topics such as:

---A Robotic Simulated Lunar Terrain Transportation Challenge

---The Eco-Friendly Diaper, Landfill Design: The Type of Cloth Versus the Rate of Decomposition

---The Effect of Windmill Blade Pitch and Surface Area on Energy Production

---Waste Heat Recovery Using Thermo-Electric Power

---A Novel, Efficient Pattern Matching Algorithm for the DNA Alphabet



Semifinalists were selected from more than 1,460 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.



The 30 Broadcom MASTERS finalists will be announced on August 29. Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., September 28 — October 3 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.



Sponsored by Broadcom Foundation, a non-profit public benefit organization 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 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 teachers play in the success of their students, each semifinalist classroom will receive a collection of Sally Ride Science Career Books.



Paula Golden, Executive Director of Broadcom Foundation and Director of Broadcom Community Affairs:

All of us at Broadcom are thrilled to congratulate each semifinalist who has achieved so much to make it to the next round of the Broadcom MASTERS. Through science fairs, every student has a unique opportunity to showcase his or her science or engineering project to discerning judges and experience the give-and-take of competition. These 300 students represent the finest competitors in the nation.



Elizabeth Marincola, President of Society for Science & the Public:

The skills acquired by students through participation in hands-on scientific and engineering research will help prepare them not only for further education, but for their future careers. SSP is proud to join Broadcom Foundation to inspire and reward the 2012 Broadcom MASTERS semifinalists for their project-based pursuits.