Intel Fellows Put on Reverse Science Fair for Intel STS Finalists

On Monday, March 10, the 40 finalists of the Intel Science Talent Search got a chance to turn the tables on Intel employees, who were presenting their work and answering finalists’ questions. Participating Intel employees included:

• Candace Metoyer, Marketing Manager, Market Sizing and Forecasting
  PhD in Statistics, MS in Statistics, and BS in Chemical Engineering, all from University of California-Davis
• Becky Loop, Principal Engineer, PC Client Group
  BS in Electrical Engineering, University of Florida
• Jennifer Healey, Research Scientist, User Experience Research Lab
  PhD, MS, and BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT
• Michael Mayberry, Vice President of Technology and Manufacturing Group; Director, Components Research
  PhD in Physical Chemistry from University of California-Berkeley, BS in Chemistry and Mathematics from Midland College
• Richard Beckwith, Research Psychologist, User Experience Research Lab
  PhD in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University
• Peter Wolochow, Director of Stakeholder and Portfolio Strategies
  B.Apsc. in Electrical Engineering from University of British Columbia

These and several other Intel employees also joined the finalists for dinner, allowing them even more time to ask questions about their careers and research. Mike Bell, Vice President; General Manager, New Devices Group, told finalists that he “can’t wait to see who wins…I’m excited to be here. Someone has to take our jobs when we retire and we’re hoping you can take over.”

Justin Rattner, Senior Fellow and former Chief Technology Officer at Intel, gave the keynote address after dinner. He told finalists, “I was a science fair winner. Not like this one, just a little one.” He described how he had built a small digital computer in the 8th grade, and how no one at the junior high science fair believed he had done it on his own, going so far to call his father at work and ask about it. “They finally decided I was legit, and gave me first place.”

Rattner’s experience at the science fair was important in helping him set goals and ambitions, and he hopes that participating in the Intel STS does the same for the 40 finalists. He also discussed how independent research can be rewarding in a way classroom learning just can’t be, and that participating in research can impact your career outlook and give you more options. He mentioned that Intel and other industrial research organizations value scientists and engineers that have completed academic work at the highest level.

He closed the night by telling the audience, “I am looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with folks like yourself, and focusing on how Intel can impact STEM education.”