Nation’s Most Gifted Young Scientists Present Original Research at Virtual 79th Regeneron Science Talent Search

Forty High School Students Come Together Virtually to Compete for More Than $1.8 Million in Awards

From July 21-29, 2020, 40 high school seniors from across the country will gather online to compete for more than $1.8 million in awards and be recognized as the nation’s most promising young scientists. The students are finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020, a program founded and produced by the Society for Science & the Public, and the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

For the first time in its 78-year history, the competition will take place virtually, in order to keep finalists and their families safe during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The competition was postponed from its original date in March.

What:

Media and the general public are invited to attend a Public Exhibition of the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020 finalists’ research projects and discoveries; Connect with the next generation of scientific leaders who are bringing a fresh perspective to solving significant global challenges; Watch the winners award ceremony live via streaming video.

When & Where:

Public Exhibition of Projects, Saturday, July 25, 2-4 p.m. ET

Winners Award Ceremony, Wednesday, July 29, 8-9 p.m. ET

Who:

The 40 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020 finalists; for only the second time in the competition’s history, girls outnumber boys 24 to 16.

Finalists’ research projects include:

  • An AI algorithm to identify toxic language, often a method of cyberbullying, without over-censoring the discussions.
  • A deep learning computer vision model that may help detect the presence of guns, knives and blood in streaming videos within milliseconds.
  • A methodology to examine a nationwide database of hospitalization data to explore the cost effectiveness of two different surgical techniques for appendectomies in children.
  • Robots modeled after earthworms that would be able to move through narrow passages to assist with disaster relief.

For a full list of the 2020 finalists, visit https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/2020-finalists/

Next Steps:

While participating in the virtual competition, finalists will undergo a rigorous virtual judging process and interact with leading scientists. Winners will be announced during a live-streamed, virtual awards ceremony, which will be open for media and public viewing.

Quotes:

“This year’s finalists are not only scientific leaders and innovators, but also activists and pioneers,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News. “These young scientists are living through the greatest epidemiological event in living memory, and have been resilient in the face of the changing world and what it means for their immediate future. They recognize the power science has to spark conversation and influence our world’s most pressing issues and we’re excited to share their new ideas with the public.”

“It’s our honor to welcome the public to join us for this virtual exhibition, a circumstance that for the first time, allows people from all over the country to participate. We are eager to celebrate the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020 finalists and share their curiosity and passion for innovation and scientific advancement,” said Hala Mirza, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Citizenship at Regeneron. “They have already shown so much promise in addressing society’s most urgent problems, and we’re excited to see where their scientific endeavors will take them next.”

More Info:

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, founded and produced by Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Alumni of the Science Talent Search have gone on to have world-changing careers in science and earn more than 100 of the most esteemed science and math honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes, five Breakthrough Prizes, 21 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, two Fields Medals and 11 National Medals of Science.

Founded in 1942 by the belief that advances in science are key to solving global challenges, the Science Talent Search works to support and invest in young scientists who are generating ideas and acting as catalysts for the change needed to improve the well-being of all people and the planet.

Society for Science & the Public and Regeneron understand that the workforce of the future depends on supporting the best and brightest young minds and nurturing a passion for STEM. By harnessing the energy and passion of young people who are using scientific research as activism to make the world a better place, the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition encourages curiosity and celebrates the hard work and novel discoveries of young scientists who are bringing fresh perspectives to significant global problems and unlocking solutions that will lead to new ideas and innovations and may ultimately save our world.

For Regeneron Science Talent Search news, visit https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).

Media Contact:

To RSVP and receive live-streaming links to the public exhibition of projects or the award ceremony, please contact Gayle Kansagor, (202) 872-5103, gkansagor@societyforscience.org.