SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 25, 2006 — Forty teens are nearing their quest to be named America’s most promising young scientist, as Intel Corporation today named finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS). Competing for more than $530,000 in scholarships and prizes, these students hail from 19 states, a record number in the competition’s 65—year history.

Intel invests more than $100 million annually to improve education around the world and inspire and celebrate student success. The STS, sponsored by Intel since 1998, is America’s oldest, most highly regarded pre—college science competition. Alumni of the program hold more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including six Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.

‘While as a nation we continue to struggle to improve science and math education, these students give us hope for our future,’ said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett. ‘Their grounding in science and math will help them make the right decisions in their professional careers whether they provide answers to some of science’s grand challenges or help guide the political and economic decisions that shape the 21st century.’

Read more at Intel’s pressroom.