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Broadcom MASTERS® Competition
The Broadcom MASTERS®, a program of Society for Science & the Public (SSP), is an international science fair competition sponsored by Broadcom Foundation to inspire 6th, 7th and 8th graders to stay with Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering as Rising Stars in these STEM fields.
Participating in the Broadcom MASTERS, middle schoolers are mentored and encouraged to experience hands-on science and engineering by creating a science fair project on a topic they personally care about. Judges at affiliate fairs may nominate a percent of all participating middles schoolers to compete in the US competition each fall. Throughout the world, judges at participating fairs select MASTERS delegates to represent their country at the Broadcom MASTERS International each spring.
Thousands of young people who participate in the Broadcom MASTERS are prepared to meet the challenges of the future as tomorrow's innovators who will lead the way with scientific breakthroughs, engineering feats and technological know-how because they are inspired to stay with math and science throughout high school, which enables them to attend colleges and universities - leading to exciting STEM careers.
National finals for the U.S. Broadcom MASTERS are held in Washington, D.C., where the top award is$25,000 Samueli Foundation Prize.
Students are invited to compete for prizes and awards in the US Broadcom MASTERS by entering their science projects at national SSP affiliate fairs, listed on the SSP website www.societyforscience.org. The countries participating in the Broadcom MASTERS International can be located on this website.
To view highlights of 2012 Broadcom MASTERS, watch video 
.
To view highlights of the International Broadcom MASTERS, watch video .
To view the 2011 Broadcom MASTERS highlight reel, watch video .
To learn about the Broadcom MASTERS Competition, watch video .
Watch Broadcom CEO Scott McGregor talk about the Broadcom MASTERS, click here .
To read about the middle school inspiration of Broadcom Founder Henry Samueli, click here.
To learn about Science Fairs participating in the Broadcom MASTERS, go to www.societyforscience.org/masters.
Learn more about the 2011 winners, click here
To read Paula Golden's letter about the Broadcom Foundation, click here.
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Meet the 2012 Broadcom MASTERS Winners
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The Samueli Foundation Prize: $25,000 Grand prize winner Raymond Gilmartin, a self-described car enthusiast, decided to find out how a rear spoiler affects drag and lift in SUVs. After building two spoilers for a model SUV and testing in a six-foot wind tunnel, he concluded that a level spoiler would increase drag compared to a car without a spoiler, but would not affect lift. Raymond found that reducing drag can improve gas mileage, ultimately decreasing carbon emissions and helping to slow climate change. He was selected for the Samueli Foundation Prize based on his mastery of STEM. Raymond has exemplified how research and innovation are dependent on the integration of these disciplines as well as the impact they collectively have on our every-day lives. |
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Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation: $10,000 Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation winner Jessika Baral was inspired to study vision after noticing that her friends often use handheld electronic devices for long periods of time - a habit that can result in eye muscle fatigue. She decided to put her engineering skills to use creating a device to strengthen tired eye muscles and improve peripheral vision using LED lights. Through her research, she found that regular exercise with the device significantly improved both peripheral vision and peripheral reading range in children and adults. Jessika was selected because she demonstrates both vision and promise as an innovator, and in the spirit of radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi, has shown aptitude and skill in applied electrical engineering concepts in his/her science project and in STEM challenges throughout the week. |
STEM Award Winners:
Each of these finalists (first and second place award winners) were selected for demonstrated skills and promise in each of the disciplines represented by STEM. First place winners receive $3,500 and second place winners are awarded $2,500 to support a summer camp experience of a finalist's choice of STEM programs offered around the country. Each STEM winner also wins an iPad.
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Science Award |
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Technology Award |
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Engineering Award |
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Mathematics Award |
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Rising Stars Award |
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Team Award |
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Read the press release announcing the winners.
Read more about the competition and view complete bios of all the winners in the Broadcom MASTERS 2012 Finalist Book (PDF).
Competition Finalists
View the 2012 Broadcom MASTERS finalists
Why Middle School?
When a student reaches middle school, he or she is asking, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"
The Broadcom MASTERS competition is designed to give a middle school student a personal "ah ha!" moment by allowing him or her to explore a personal interest or passion through participation in the local science fair. This experience will enable the student to envision a career in the subject that is of personal interest and understand the importance of sticking with math and science into high school in order to achieve that personal goal or aspiration.
Through participation in the Broadcom MASTERS competition, students make friends, find mentors, explore a personal interest or passion and experience the excitement of creating a hands-on science or engineering project that will keep them interested in studying STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and math - throughout high school.
A science fair project is often a student's first -- and in many cases only -- opportunity to apply STEM learning in ways that directly relate to his or her own life, personal interests or aspirations. An inspiring teacher or mentor, coupled with the intense gratification of creating a hands-on science or engineering project can be the powerful catalyst that redirects a student's academic choices and opens new pathways to college and an array of exciting careers.
To view highlights of 2012 Broadcom MASTERS, watch video .
To view highlights of the International Broadcom MASTERS, watch video .
To view the 2011 Broadcom MASTERS highlight reel, watch video .
To learn about the Broadcom MASTERS Competition, watch video .
Watch Broadcom CEO Scott McGregor talk about the Broadcom MASTERS, click here .
To read about the middle school inspiration of Broadcom Founder Henry Samueli, click here.
To learn about Science Fairs participating in the Broadcom MASTERS, go to www.societyforscience.org/masters.
Learn more about the 2011 winners, click here
To read Paula Golden's letter about the Broadcom Foundation, click here.
2013 MASTERS Competition Schedule (US Only - International Fairs take place year-round)
- January - June: Middle school students enter their science and engineering projects in SSP affiliated fairs throughout the US. 10% of the participating middle school students at each fair will be nominated to compete in the Broadcom MASTERS
- Regional and State Fairs are held from March - May
- June: MASTERS Nominees complete their on line applications in which they examine the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) elements their project, share their interests, talk about an inspirational teacher or mentor and consider careers they might pursue based on their STEM interests
- Mid August: 300 National semifinalists are selected by a prestigious panel of scientists and engineers
- Late August: 30 National finalists ware announced from the pool of semifinalists
- September - October: National Broadcom MASTERS Competition is held in Washington, D.C. where Finalists compete for cash prizes and awards, including the Samueli/Marconi Innovation Award ($10,000) and the First Samueli Prize ($25,000)
- Children of Broadcom employees MAY compete as long as their employee parent(s) are not judges in the competition
Competition Highlights for 2013
Broadcom MASTERS International
- May 12 - 17 - Phoenix Arizona (Students are pre-selected from SSP Affiliated Fairs throughout the world and hosted in teams by Broadcom volunteers)
Broadcom MASTERS (US)
- September 28 - Public Day
The 30 finalists' projects will be on display for the public at the National Geographic Society. A panel of world-renowned scientists and engineers will judge their projects during this day. In the evening, finalists will enjoy an exciting introduction to the Nation's capital, experiencing historical sites and organizations that celebrate innovation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The competition focuses on individual competencies in STEM. - September 29 - STEM Challenge Day Divided into teams throughout the competition, Finalists will will engage in an action-packed day of competition focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) challenges. The competition focuses on ability to work as a team to explore, hypothesize, innovate and communicate results.
- September 30- Building/Innovation Challenge Day
Finalists will take part in the final rounds of STEM challenges that focus on engineering and building innovation at the Palomar Hotel. Teamwork is once again the key to success. Evening activities in the Nation's Capital round out a busy schedule. - October 1 - Hill Day and Awards Ceremony
Finalists, their parent or guardian and Broadcom/Society for Science & the Public representatives, pay a special visit to Capitol Hill to meet their elected representatives. The week's activities culminate with a Formal Reception, Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Finalists receive awards and prizes for proficiency in STEM subjects and achievements in Science, Engineering and Innovation. The $25,000 Samueli Prize is awarded from the Samueli Foundation by Henry Samueli, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, and his wife Susan.
To view highlights of 2012 Broadcom MASTERS, watch video .
To view highlights of the International Broadcom MASTERS, watch video .
To view the 2011 Broadcom MASTERS highlight reel, watch video .
To learn about the Broadcom MASTERS Competition, watch video .
Watch Broadcom CEO Scott McGregor talk about the Broadcom MASTERS, click here .
To read about the middle school inspiration of Broadcom Founder Henry Samueli, click here.
To learn about Science Fairs participating in the Broadcom MASTERS, go to www.societyforscience.org/masters.
Learn more about the 2011 winners, click here
To read Paula Golden's letter about the Broadcom Foundation, click here.
Science Fair Resources
Welcome to the Broadcom MASTERS website!
To help you with your science project, please follow the link below to the Science Resources webpage of our partner organization, Society for Science & the Public (SSP). SSP offers a variety of resources to assist independent student research. They will help you get started with a science fair project and suggest opportunities to further enhance your science education.
We also encourage you to visit Science News for Kids, SSP's award-winning website for kids 9-14, their parents and educators. Science News for Kids offers timely, interesting news stories and features in all areas of science, accompanied by suggestions for interactive science activities, books and articles to read, and additional Web resources.
Broadcom MASTERS® International is a partnership of Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public (SSP). Broadcom MASTERS International creates opportunities for early collaboration between young scientists and engineers from around the world. The vision for the program is to bring together young people who share a passion for innovation in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) and to inspire them to stay with math and science throughout high school and into exciting careers. Broadcom MASTERS International provides students with invaluable experience and insight on how to use their abilities to become innovators and leaders in their chosen fields, whether in academics, NGOs, governments or at pioneering companies like Broadcom.
Broadcom MASTERS International awards middle school students who participate in SSP-affiliated fairs around the globe with the opportunity to represent their countries as Broadcom MASTERS delegates at a variety of events. Delegates are chosen from among participating 7th and 8th graders by judges as SSP-affiliated fairs in Canada, China (Beijing; Shanghai; Szechuan Province), India (Bangalore; Hyderabad), Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and the United Kingdom. Two finalists from the Broadcom MASTERS US competition also are chosen as delegates for the international program.
Broadcom MASTERS International delegates will establish enduring friendships among peers that will last a lifetime. Broadcom Foundation is confident this program will lead these talented young people to future collaboration and innovation that will address the world's challenges affecting communications, health, transportation, education, energy and sustainability.
One of the upcoming activities for Broadcom MASTERS International is the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Each Broadcom MASTERS International delegate will receive an all-expenses-paid trip where the delegate will have the rare opportunity to shadow more experienced high school students and engage in special Broadcom MASTERS events exclusively designed to develop team building and leadership skills. In addition to funding their visits to the United States, Broadcom Foundation also will provide financial support to the delegates' affiliate fairs as part of its commitment to promoting project-based learning as a cornerstone of STEM education.
Meet the 2012 Broadcom MASTERS International delegates!
| Name | City | Country | Project |
| Neel Sharma | Kingston | Canada | SOS (Stop Oil Spills): Results of an LC50 Study on Artemia Salina |
| Zhi Yuan Zhang | Shanghai | China | Empty parking spaces display device |
| Boya Zhang | Beijing | China | Study on cultivation and vaccination environment of green-haired terrapin |
| Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh | Cambridge | United Kingdom | Study and Analysis of the Orbital and Physical Properties of 2010 TK7 |
| John Neill | Downpatrick | UK | Keycall - development of a low cost electronic device, that uses GSM technology, to help find lost or misplaced keys |
| Bhargavi Lokeshwark | Kuppam | India | A Study For Growing Oxygen On Highways |
| Jyothsana Tirupathi | Kuppam | India | A Study For Growing Oxygen On Highways |
| Megha Balachandra | Bangalore | India | Yeast Metabolism Under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions: Domestic as well as Commercial Implications |
| Shadi Ansari | Jerusalem | Israel | Effects of Caffeine |
| Bashar Jebara | Jerusalem | isreal | Effects of Caffeine |
| Sari Khalaf | Jerusalem | israel | Effects of Caffeine |
| Atsushi Murata | Tsukuba | Japan | Is multicoloured ladybird an evil bug? Insight from the intraguild predation and its avoiding mechanism. |
| Soyoon Jeong | Seoul | South Korea | With the Melody of GAYAGUEM |
| Judith Ow | Singapore | Singapore | Establishment of a proof-of-concept high content screen for small molecules inhibiting glioma growth |
| Kuei-Ting Chang | Taipei | Chinese Taipei | Characterization of curcumin and its application in daily life and laboratory |
| Adrian Contreras Gonzalez | Culiacan | Mexico | Natural fungicides |
| Carolyn Jons | Eden Pairie | US - MN | The Effect of Soap Bubble Size on the Insulative Ability of Foams |
| Chad Campbell | Hampstead | US- NC | THE DEBATE ON YOUR PLATE! Are there antibiotics present in the meat we purchase from local grocery stores? |
Spirit of Innovation: Henry Samueli
The inspiration to create the Broadcom MASTERS is found in the personal history of Broadcom's co-founder, Dr. Henry Samueli, who - in addition to many honors - was awarded the 2012 Marconi Prize for his work advancing communications technology "for the social, economic and cultural development of all humanity."
Just like the thousands of young people competing in science fair competitions throughout the United States and the world, Henry Samueli's passion to pursue a career in engineering was ignited during the formative years of middle school. The son of Polish immigrants who had survived the Holocaust, Samueli's road to becoming a preeminent electrical engineer and renowned innovator began with a 'hands-on' electronics project in his West Hollywood 7th grade electric shop class.
Samueli convinced his teacher to let him tackle building a vacuum-tube short-wave radio he had read about in a Heathkit catalog. The radio project fascinated Samueli and he slaved away on the project every night for an entire semester. When he brought the assembled radio into school, the teacher plugged it in and it worked. Dr. Samueli recalls that his teacher's jaw just dropped - telling him "nobody ever gets it to work the first time!"
From that moment on, Dr. Samueli was hooked. "That became my mission in life, from 7th grade onward, to find out how radios work." He went on earn his Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering at UCLA and his amazing career trajectory as an engineer/innovator led to the founding of Broadcom, which today is an international Fortune 500 company with over 11,000 employees.
In recognition of the importance of STEM education AND the importance of sparking insight and passion through project-based learning, Henry requested that the Marconi Prize money be used to establish the Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation at the Broadcom MASTERS. Henry and his wife Susan award the Broadcom MASTERS Grand Prize - the Samueli Foundation Prize - to the top competitor in the MASTERS Competition.
Broadcom Foundation is grateful to Henry Samueli and the family members and educators who encouraged him to excel in an academic subject he loves. In recognition of STEM Educators, the foundation provides support to the finalists' schools and to science fairs where Broadcom employees live and work.
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