Regeneron Science Talent Search

1. Regeneron Science Talent Search Allie Stifel Director, Regeneron Science Talent Search Society for Science & the Public

2. The History • The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS) is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. • Since 1942 in partnership with Westinghouse, then Intel and now with Regeneron, the Society has provided a national stage for the country's best and brightest young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized professional scientists.

3. The Goal: to identify young scientists who will become the leaders of our future scientific community

4. The Prizes • $3.1 million in awards offered each year! • Entrants: T-shirts, laptop stickers, 1-year subscription to Science News • Top 300 Scholars: $2,000 • Schools of Top 300 scholars: $2,000 per scholar • 40 Finalists: $25,000 for 30 students • Top Ten: $40,000 to $250,000 for 10th through 1st place

5. Who can apply? Eligibility • Last year of secondary school (usually 12th) • Attending school in the US or some US citizens attending school abroad • Individual, independent research from any time and of any duration • Human / Animal research falls within rules • No cut offs by GPA, # of AP classes, etc. • Any student from any school may apply if they meet the other rules (no limits per school, region, state) • Completed research project from any year of high school, of any length

6. Regeneron STS vs. Intel ISEF

7. Application Process • Opens June 1, 2018, closes November 14 • Online Application ONLY; Direct Apply • Requirements: • Essays and short answer questions about activities, awards, past and current research projects • Test Scores (optional) • Recommendations (Educator, Project Scientist, Transcripts from High School Counselor) • Research Report (up to 20 pages) https://sciencetalentsearch.fluidreview.com

8. What we’re NOT looking for… • Perfection • All AP classes • Only students from certain states and schools • Fancy labs/mentors • Quotas of any sort We DO want to see… • Great student-driven research • Research from all disciplines • Students taking advantage of opportunities available to them • Demonstration of strong academic achievement

9. Timeline Student Research Project Approx 1800 students submit online applications June-November Each application reviewed by 3 PhD-level scientists (120), screened for plagiarism and rules review Top 40 finalists announced January 23 Top 300 scholars announced January 9 Judging Panel determines top 300 scholars and 40 finalists Finalists compete in Washington, DC mid-March Top 10 Winners Announced

10. Regeneron Science Talent Institute • Thursday, March 7 • East Coast Arrivals • Project Board Building • Orientation Dinner • Telling Your Story Workshop • West Coast Arrivals • Friday, March 8 • Judges’ Breakfast • Judging Interviews • Alumni Dinner • Saturday, March 9 • Judging Interviews • Finalist Team Challenge • Seaborg Speaker Selection • Sunday, March 10 • Capitol Hill Photo Shoot • Project Judging • Public Day • Winner Results available to PR team • Monday, March 11 • Finalist Field Trip • Regeneron Innovation Dinner • Tuesday, March 12 • Hill Day • Awards Gala • Wednesday, March 13 • Farewell breakfast • Departures

11. 2018 Highlights Video

12. Why should students enter Regeneron STS? • Opportunity to win awards…top prize is $250,000! Schools awarded $2,000 per scholar, too! • Networking opportunities • Opportunity to showcase their research • Practice makes perfect– great opportunity to practice scientific writing • Inspiring to think about being around like-minded people • Why not?

13. Things to know about the 2018/2019 application • Application structured the same as 2017, some essays are shorter or combined • Transcripts only accepted through the online system (no longer accepted via snail mail) • Teachers are encouraged to open test accounts to explore– identify yourself in Task 1 • Revised Rules Wizard section for students (Task 11) • Limited number of activities, formatted so easier for us to quantify • Allow/encourage students to list their family responsibilities for more holistic review of entrant • Test scores have been optional for a few years, students may self report • Robust FAQ on the website

14. Tools and Tips for Entrants • Work in small chunks of time! “Easy sections” first. • Application FAQ page • Application Tour Video • Webinars • Sign up early to receive reminder emails and learn about webinars and help videos • Don’t be afraid to email sciedu@societyforscience.org with questions! • Rules questions

15. Advice for Educators • Encourage all of your students to apply, and tell them about STS as 9th & 10th graders • Highlight former finalists and scholars as role models, share stories from our blog • Open a test account! • Email sciedu@societyforscience.org to request promotional materials. • Sign up for our emails through online form • “Like” the Society on social media to keep up with important dates and events, and to access great materials like the livestreams from the STS Public Exhibition of Projects and the Awards Gala • Letters of recommendation (educators & mentors)– help us contextualize the student

16. Mythbusting: True/False False! False! • Only one student per school can be named a finalist • Only one student per school can enter • Mentors are required to enter STS • There are no GPA or test score cut offs • Students can enter more than once • SSP tracks silly student questions and phone calls • Multiyear research projects are required • Engineering projects are not allowed • Students can enter research that was entered into other competitions False! TRUE! False! False! False! False! TRUE!

17. Important Dates • 2019 Application Opens – June 1, 2018 • Application Deadline – ROCK SOLID • November 14, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time • Winner Announcements – January 2019 • Scholar Announcement: Early January • Finalist Announcement: Mid January • Regeneron Science Talent Institute – mid March 2019 • Public Exhibition of Projects – March 12, 2019

18. Questions? astifel@societyforscience.org sciedu@societyforscience.org Email me for materials, handouts, etc! This presentation will be uploaded to the Edmodo.