Society for Science unveils collection of White House Photos

March 7, 2023

White House Photo Gallery - Presidents Bush, Kennedy, Obama, Truman, Clinton and Eisenhower pictured in collage format — various

Society for Science has launched a collection of photos featuring finalists in the Society’s science research competitions, Society staff and program sponsors with presidents, vice presidents and first ladies. The gallery, which includes more than 120 photos and captions, dates back to the Society’s first visit in 1942. At that time, Vice President Henry Wallace met with the very first Science Talent Search class.

The photo gallery features photos with nearly every President since 1942 from President Truman to President Kennedy to President Bush to President Obama. First Ladies include Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth Truman and Michelle Obama. Meeting with the President or a White House representative has been a highlight of the Washington, D.C. experience for many finalists in the Science Talent Search and the Broadcom MASTERS.

1942 STS finalists with Vice President Wallace

STS finalists pose with Vice President Henry Wallace at the U.S. Capitol Building during the first Science Talent Institute in 1942. Wallace, a scientist himself, conversed with the students about their research and how science could aid the war effort.

1944 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt shakes hands with finalists

1944 STS finalists are greeted by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt outside the White House. Following their meeting with the First Lady, the students toured the White House’s most famous rooms.

1951 President Truman speaks to STS finalists in the Oval Office

President Harry Truman welcomes STS finalists to the Oval Office in 1951. Truman urged the students to pursue careers in science, stating, “The power and welfare of this country is wrapped up in scientific research.”

1948 STS finalists meet First Lady Elizabeth Truman at the White House

First Lady Elizabeth “Bess” Truman poses for a photo in front of the White House with the 1948 STS finalists. The students also visited the Agricultural Research Center and the National Bureau of Standards during their week-long trip to the capital.

1961 STS finalists visit President Kennedy’s office

President John F. Kennedy talks with 1961 STS finalists Rita Manak (front left) and Laura Kaufman (front right) in the Oval Office. Manak’s project examined metabolism in white blood cells and Kaufman’s project investigated factors affecting the perception of lines.

1989 President Bush speaks to STS finalists at the National Academy of Sciences

President George H. W. Bush speaks to 1989 STS finalists at the National Academy of Sciences. President Bush told the students: “I think no one proves better than all of you just how much our students are capable of.”

2011 First Lady Michelle Obama invites ISEF top winner Amy Chyao to State of the Union Address

ISEF 2010 top winner Amy Chyao (far right) poses for a photo with First Lady Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address in 2011. The first lady invited Chyao, who developed a photosensitizer for treating cancer for her ISEF project, to join her in her viewing box for the address.

2012 Taylor Wilson discusses his project with President Obama

2011 ISEF finalist Taylor Wilson shows President Barack Obama his project at the 2012 White House Science Fair. During his address to the students, Obama stated, “When students excel in math and science, they help America compete for the jobs and industries of the future.”

The Society was also honored to have finalists from three of our competitions – the Science Talent Search, the International Science and Engineering Fair and the Broadcom MASTERS – participate in White House Science Fairs, hosted by President Obama.

We welcome you to visit the site today https://www.societyforscience.org/whitehouse/.