Three science officials are trying to drum up support for an effort to have Salt Lake City host a future Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Next week, Michael Keene, state science adviser and director of the Centers of Excellence Program; Troy Takach, chief technology officer of Parvus Corp. and chairman of the Utah Governor's State Advisory Council for Science and Technology; and Jean Tracy, director of conventions of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, will present a statewide bid to host the event.
Salt Lake City is bidding against Des Moines, Iowa, and Reno, Nev., for the 2008 competition.
If granted, the high school science competition would come to Salt Lake City within three to five years and would require about $1.5 million in cash or in-kind contributions from the local community, bid organizers say. The Intel ISEF, started in 1950, draws about 5,000 visitors and typically generates close to $5 million for the local economy.
Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together students from 48 states and 40 nations to compete and win more than $3 million in scholarships, tuition grants, internships and scientific field trips. The grand prize is a $50,000 college scholarship, a high-performance computer and a trip to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden.
People or companies interested in showing support for the local effort or volunteering to serve on the organizing committee are asked to e-mail SaltLake2008@yahoo.com.