Broadcom Foundation Announces 30 Finalists in Inaugural Science and Engineering Middle School Competition - Broadcom MASTERS™

IRVINE, Calif. and WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public (SSP) today announced the names of the 30 middle school finalists in the inaugural Broadcom MASTERS™ (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) competition. The winners will be named on October 4 in Washington, D.C. Join the MASTERS conversation at www.facebook.com/broadcommasters. The list of participants and geographic locations is available at www.societyforscience.org/masters and www.broadcomfoundation.org/masters.

Sponsored by the Broadcom Foundation, a non-profit public benefit organization funded by Broadcom Corporation, the Broadcom MASTERS is a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) competition for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

The 17 girls and 13 boys come from 14 states in addition to Puerto Rico and represent 29 schools. California and Texas have the greatest number of winners with four finalists from each state. These states are followed by Ohio and Oregon with three each; Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota and North Carolina with two each; and Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Washington with one each. The Broadcom MASTERS' finalists were selected by a panel of distinguished scientists and engineers from among 300 semifinalists, who were chosen from 1,476 applicants in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

The finalists' independent research projects include a range of topics such as:

• The Big Kill: Impact of Oil and Dispersant on Algae Population
• Earthquake Magnitudes Varying as a Function of Distance from the Epicenter - Simulation using Sound Waves
• Creating an Inexpensive, Reusable and Portable Water Filtration Device using Silver Nanoparticles
• The Melting Point: A Study of Ingredients in Buttercream Icing
• Cross my Heart and Hope to Get Smarter: Cognitive Benefits of a Yogic Exercise

During Broadcom MASTERS' week (September 30 - October 4), finalists will showcase their science and engineering projects, and compete as a team in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities for awards and prizes. The top education award is $25,000 from the Samueli Foundation, a gift of Susan and Henry Samueli, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation. The Broadcom MASTERS also recognizes middle school teachers who have inspired and mentored these finalists. In addition to receiving merchandise and rewards from Elmer's® Products, Inc., the Broadcom MASTERS 2011 Official Classroom Partner and a leader in adhesives, arts and crafts and educational products, their classrooms also receive $125 Walmart Gift Cards. Each finalist school also receives $1,000 from the Broadcom Foundation.

The students will also enjoy an exciting introduction to the nation's capital, experiencing historical sites and organizations that celebrate innovation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The finalists also will visit the U.S. Capitol to meet their elected representatives. The week's activities culminate with an awards dinner at the Carnegie Institution of Washington on October 4, featuring keynote speaking Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), a distinguished physicist and Jeopardy! champion.

Quotes:

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

"There is a resurgence of project-based competitions due to a growing awareness throughout the United States that our kids, especially middle schoolers, need hands-on learning if we are to create an innovative workforce of scientists and engineers for the future. Broadcom MASTERS creates an exciting opportunity for the finalists to learn about our nation's capital while showcasing their projects, competing as teams, and developing their skills in communication, collaboration and self-discovery."

Elizabeth Marincola, President of Society for Science & the Public

"We welcome these bright young students into the long tradition of SSP education programs. They join Nobel Laureates, National Medal of Science recipients and thousands of other distinguished alumni who years earlier also explored independent science research projects in their youth. I look forward to seeing how these 30 talented innovators will continue to seek answers, solve problems and advance science throughout their school years and beyond."

For more information on the Broadcom MASTERS program please visit www.societyforscience.org/masters and www.broadcomfoundation.org/masters

To follow SSP and the MASTERS on Twitter go to www.twitter.com/society4science, or visit the SSP Broadcom Masters Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/societyforscience and www.facebook.com/broadcommasters.

About Broadcom Foundation

Broadcom Foundation was founded to inspire and enable young people throughout the world to enter careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through partnerships with local schools, colleges, universities and non-profit organizations. The Foundation's mission is to advance education in STEM by funding research, recognizing scholarship and increasing opportunity. Learn more at www.broadcomfoundation.org.  

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM), a FORTUNE 500® company, is a global leader and innovator in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom® products seamlessly deliver voice, video, data and multimedia connectivity in the home, office and mobile environments. With the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and embedded software solutions, Broadcom is changing the world by Connecting everything®. For more information, go to www.broadcom.com.  

About Society for Science & the Public

Society for Science & the Public (SSP) is one of the oldest nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to public engagement in science and science education. Established in 1921, SSP is a membership organization dedicated to building understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement.

Through its acclaimed education competitions and its award-winning publications, Science News and Science News for Kids, SSP is committed to inform, educate, and inspire. For 70 years, SSP education programs have inspired generations of science enthusiasts, including Nobel Laureates, National Medal of Science recipients, and nearly 100,000 other distinguished program alumni. The Society believes that educating and inspiring the young scientists of tomorrow, whose vision will usher in new solutions to global challenges, is vital to the common future. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org.

Broadcom®, the pulse logo, Broadcom Foundation™ and Broadcom MASTERS™ are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, the EU and/or certain other countries.  Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:

Caitlin Jennings
Society for Science & the Public
[email protected]
202.872.5158

Jennifer Baumgartner
Broadcom Corporation
[email protected]
949.926.3246

SOURCE Broadcom Corporation; Broadcom Foundation