Google Science Fair 2014
Google Science Fair 2014 finalists are improving healthcare and battling world hunger.
What do you like to do? Do what you love to do and do what you good at. It’s your turn to change the world.
Google announced the 15 global finalists for its 2014 science fair and with participants ranging from 13-18 years old, this next generation of geniuses give a glimpse of just how bright the future might be. Useful entries like 15-year-old Kenneth Shinozuka’s wearable sensors that help healthcare providers keep track of Alzheimer’s patients who may unknowingly wander away demonstrate the type of forward-thinking being applied to this showcase.
These young minds are also taking on social and economic issues, such as cyberbullying and world hunger. This year’s competition features finalists from around the world competing for prizes, with top honors including a $50,000 scholarship from Google, a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Expeditions and a visit to the Virgin Galactic Spaceport. Winners will be announced on September 22nd at 7PM PDT.
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Fifteen ways to change the world: the 2014 Google Science Fair Global Finalists
Kenneth Shinozuka, from New York City, wants to help people with Alzheimer’s Disease, like his grandfather. Kenneth developed a small, to be worn on his grandfather’s foot. When pressure is applied to the sensor, it alerts his family via a mobile app, which allows them to monitor when his grandfather is on the move. By monitoring this behavior, Kenneth hopes to understand the causes of wandering brought on by Alzheimer’s, and to ultimately find a way to mitigate or prevent it.
Samuel Burrow, from the U.K., wants to improve the environment by reducing pollution. Taking inspiration from the chemical used in sunscreen, Samuel created a special coating that reduces waste chemicals in the air when subjected to ambient light. And Cynthia Sin Nga Lam, from Australia, thinks everyone deserves access to clean water and created an eco-friendly and economical device to do just that.
These are just a few examples of the 15 incredible projects we’ve named as the global finalists for 2014 Google Science Fair. This is our fourth time hosting the competition as a way to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers. From Russia to Australia, India to Canada, this year’s finalists (ages 13-18) are already well on their way to greatness. See all 15 projects on the Google Science Fair website.
Special recognition also goes to Kenneth, who has also been awarded the Scientific American Science In Action Award. The prize celebrates a project that addresses a health, resource or environmental challenge, and comes with a year’s mentoring from Scientific American and a $50,000 grant toward the project.
What’s next for our young scientists? Well, next month, they’ll be California-bound to compete at Google HQ for the three Age Category Awards (ages 13-14, 15-16, 17-18) and of course, the overall Google Science Fair Grand Prize Award. The competition will end in style with an awards ceremony, which will be live streamed on the Science Fair YouTube channel and on our website. Tune in to be one of the first to find out this year’s winners!
But first, you get to have your say! We need you to pick your favorite project for the 2014 Voter’s Choice Award. Show your support for the finalists and cast a vote on the Google Science Fair website beginning September 1. Every year, we’re blown away by the projects and ideas these young people come up with, and you will be too.
Source: Clare Conway, on behalf of the Google Science Fair team
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New York teen wins $50,000 prize for invention aiding Alzheimer’s patients
A New York teenager whose grandfather suffers from Alzheimer’s disease won a $50,000 science prize for developing wearable sensors that send mobile alerts when a dementia patient begins to wander away from bed, officials said on Wednesday.
Kenneth Shinozuka, 15, who took home the Scientific American Science in Action Award, said his invention was inspired by his grandfather’s symptoms, which frequently caused him to wander from bed in the middle of the night and hurt himself.
Kenneth Shinozuka (courtesy photo)
“I will never forget how deeply moved my entire family was when they first witnessed my sensor detecting Grandfather’s wandering,” Shinozuka said in a statement. “At that moment, I was struck by the power of technology to change lives.”
His invention uses coin-sized wireless sensors that are worn on the feet of a potential wanderer. The sensors detect pressure caused when the person stands up, triggering an audible alert on a caregiver’s smartphone using an app.
The award honors a project that aims to make a practical difference by addressing an environmental, health or resources challenge, said Scientific American Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina.
Shinozuka’s invention was also selected as one of 15 Google Science Fair finalists out of thousands of submissions from more than 90 countries, the Scientific American publication, which partners with Google to judge the applicants, said in a statement.
In September, Shinozuka is scheduled to travel to Google’s California headquarters to compete in the 15-to-16-year-old age category in the Google Science Fair.
His project will then be presented to a panel of international judges, including scientists and technology innovators, for a possible $100,000 in scholarship funds.
The winners of the 2014 Google Science Fair will be announced on Sept. 22.
(Source: Laila Kearney, Eric Beech / reuters)
Kenneth Shinozuka – Google Science Fair 2014 Submission
Wearable Sensors: A Novel Healthcare Solution for the Aging Society
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Indonesian Samuel Alexander submitted Google Science Fair 2014 Project
Here is his submission
Samuel Alexander – Google Science Fair 2014
Google Science Fair 2014 – Project Submission
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The Google Science Fair 2014
What do you like to do? Do what you love to do and do what you good at. It’s your turn to change the world.
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Announcement of the 15 Global Finalists for Google Science Fair 2014!