The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology: A Launching Pad for Young Talent
The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology is one of the most prestigious international science research competitions for high school students. For over 20 years, it has recognized and rewarded some of the brightest young minds across the United States.
Origins and Overview
The Siemens Competition was founded in 1999 by Siemens Stiftung, a non-profit organization established by Siemens AG. The goal was to promote excellence in STEM disciplines and encourage more students to pursue careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math.
The competition is open to high school seniors or those with equivalent status who are under age 20. Students must independently complete original research projects under the guidance of a teacher or mentor. Projects can cover any area of science, math, or engineering.
There are two main phases – regional competitions and the national finals. In the regional phase, students submit applications with details of their research projects. Around 200 top projects are selected to present and defend their work before expert judging panels at one of several regional events across the U.S. The top two individuals from each region advance to compete at the national finals, along with the top two team projects.
At the national finals, students participate in a poster session and oral presentation to convey the insights and outcomes of their research. National finalists also complete a written test. The premier individual and team winners are each awarded $100,000 college scholarships. Several other finalists receive smaller scholarships as well.
Winners have gone on to achieve amazing accomplishments. It’s an opportunity that truly transforms lives and careers. We’ll explore some examples of past winners and their trajectories later in this post.
Read also: The Amazing Opportunity of the Microsoft Scholarship Program (Global)
Values and Benefits
The Competition emphasizes curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication – core skills for any field of study. Participants gain experience presenting complex technical topics to non-expert audiences, defending their ideas, and receiving feedback to improve.
During all phases, students interact with leading scientists who provide guidance and career advice. Such exposure and mentorship are invaluable for young people still exploring opportunities and passions. Regional events, in particular, immerse students in a community of like-minded peers.
The scholarships also open doors. Winners can focus fully on their studies rather than worrying about tuition costs or loans. This freedom fosters continued learning and achievement. The prestige of being a Siemens scholar translates into enhanced college and job applications as well.
For entrants who don’t make the finals, simply completing a major independent research project earns recognition and boosts academic and extracurricular profiles. It’s an achievement that sets students apart from their peers. Overall, the Competition cultivates a growth mindset and empowers youth to pioneer solutions.
Judging Criteria
To assess the hundreds of projects submitted, judges evaluate based on several rigorous criteria:
Scientific Merit
- Clarity and depth of question/problem addressed
- Appropriateness and validity of experimental design/methods
- Significance of results and conclusions drawn
Technical Communication
- Organization, flow, and clarity of written application/presentation
- Ability to explain complex topics to a general audience
- The strength of visual aids like graphs, diagrams, and photographs
Independent Investigation
- Degree of independence in devising and carrying out the project
- Level of critical thinking demonstrated
- Use of primary literature and integration of existing knowledge
Future Impact and Innovation
- Potential for real-world applications of findings or methods
- Originality, creativity, and forward-thinking shown
- Anticipation of next steps or future avenues for research
The standards are exceptionally high. Winners truly represent the pinnacle of youth STEM achievement each year. Judges especially appreciate projects that push boundaries or could lead to important technological or scientific advances.
Research Examples
To provide a sense of the types and complexity of projects undertaken, here are summaries of a few past winning studies:
- A student developed a low-cost microfluidic device to detect malaria using only a smartphone microscope and controlled fluid flow. This has the potential to improve diagnosis in remote areas lacking specialized labs.
- Another created a predictive model for plastic contamination in Arctic sea ice using mesocosm experiments and machine learning. The model considers melting rates and the impact of toxicity on marine ecosystems.
- A team-engineered portable educational kit with 3D-printed components was used to teach coding concepts to children in remote communities. Their open-source solution could expand access to computer science education globally.
- An individual investigated new metalloenzymes capable of hydrocarbon oxidation under mild conditions as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical processes. They isolated promising protein variants through structure-guided directed evolution.
As we can see, winners address problems with real-world relevance through innovative approaches and rigorous science. Their projects demonstrate self-motivated learners pushing boundaries.
Success Stories
The impact of winning a Siemens scholarship cannot be overstated. It changes lives by unlocking potential. Here are a few inspiring examples of past winners’ remarkable accomplishments:
- Cristina Meyer won in 2009 for analyzing star-forming properties of distant galaxies. She’s now an astrophysicist at Yale and has numerous publications. Meyer was also selected for prestigious Hubble and Sloan fellowships.
- Jenny Diao triumphed in 2006, devising a low-cost paper-based microfluidic device. She co-founded a startup commercializing her technology and earned degrees from Stanford & MIT. Diao holds several patents and is now a leading innovator.
- Terence Tao, the 1994 individual winner, went on to become a Fields Medalist – one of the highest honors in mathematics – at age 24. He holds appointments at UCLA and has made groundbreaking contributions to geometry, algebra, and analysis.
- The 2001 team from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology developed ultrasound nanotechnology. Members have since earned PhDs from top programs and hold faculty positions at schools like MIT and Harvard.
These stories exemplify how the Siemens Competition identifies prodigies who go on to revolutionize their fields. By investing in young talent, it spurs scientific and technological progress for generations to come.
Advice from Alumni
For current and future participants, here are some tips gleaned from successful alumni’s experiences:
- Focus your project on a question that truly excites your curiosity. Pursue an area you’re passionate about rather than what seems most competitive.
- Invest time in developing a deep understanding of your topic through thorough research. Back concepts with credible evidence and analysis.
- Design rigorous experiments and controls to draw meaningful conclusions. Iteratively test and refine your methods.
- Start your proposal and poster design process early to allow multiple revisions with feedback. Clarity of communication is key.
- During presentations, make eye contact, speak confidently, and be prepared to thoughtfully answer varied questions.
- Leverage your achievement to its fullest. Share work through publications when possible. Network actively and apply to top programs.
- Even if you don’t win, the process provides invaluable skills and resume material. Celebrate your accomplishment of an independent investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Siemens Competition:
Who is eligible to enter?
To be eligible, students must be high school seniors or have an equivalent educational status and be under 20 years of age on October 31st of the relevant application year. They can reside and complete their project in any country, but regional competitions occur only in the U.S. and Canada.
What types of projects are appropriate?
Any original research project related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics is eligible. Projects span fields like biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, aerospace engineering, and more. The scope can involve basic or applied investigations across multiple disciplines.
Read also: An Introduction to the QuestBridge Scholarship Program
How do I apply?
Students prepare a written application describing their research project. This is submitted along with recommendation letters, transcripts, and other required materials through an online portal between September and October each year. Successful applicants are notified of acceptance to regional competitions by late fall. More details and deadlines can be found on the Siemens Competition website.
Do I need an advisor?
While not required, it is strongly recommended that participants work with a guidance counselor, teacher, or mentor related to their field of study. Advisors can help design and oversee projects to ensure ethical standards and safety protocols are followed. Their insight also improves the work. Many past winners credit their advisors’ support for much of their success.
What are my chances of winning?
Only around 200 projects out of many hundreds submitted each year are invited to present at one of the numerous regional competitions. Among those, typically, 8-10 advance as finalists to compete nationally for the top honors. As with any highly selective competition, your odds depend on the originality, quality, and communication of your work compared to other extremely talented applicants. However, the experience itself provides tremendous value regardless of the outcome.
