Intel Has Been A Leader with Interest and Involvement in STEM Education For Decades
By: Michele Peters, AZ SciTech Writer

Intel, the world’s recognized leader in technology is deeply involved and concerned with tech education known as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). But instead of only voicing their concern, they have built a culture to help ensure the next generation is totally tech savvy and a program built around transforming education to meet 21st century challenges, where students will need 21st century skills, including how to communicate and collaborate.
One entire section of their website is devoted to and outlines concrete strategies and actions to initiate that transformation – Intel® Education. “Intel® Education delivers a comprehensive approach to creating successful learning environments. By developing a strategic plan that supports your education vision, you can build a robust infrastructure, choose the right devices, and source the best software for your needs—all keys to driving a holistic solution for student success.” https://scitechinstitute.orgwww.intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/video/way-learning-should-be.html
Renee Levin, Intel Public Affairs Community Engagement Manager, remarked, “…Kids are interested in science if given the opportunity to play and try to solve simple problems get involved…we must give them the opportunity to play in engineering and science.”
A recent opportunity for kids to “play in science” was the Chandler Science Spectacular, held in February. Here students were able to engage in actual hands-on demonstrations provided by companies and schools. There were only demonstrations and activities and where students talk about STEM with STEM professionals those actually involved – literally it was a day of hands on science.
And speaking of hands-on science, nothing is more hands on than students creating their own research and science fair projects, where Intel again leads the way. The Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) is the largest science fair in Arizona being held on April 6 at the Phoenix Convention Center https://scitechinstitute.orgazsef.org/ . But that is just the beginning. AzSEF brings
together first-place winners from school, homeschool, district, county and regional science fairs across Arizona to compete for thousands of dollars in prizes and scholarships. The Grand Award winners in the Senior Division from the state-level fair will be selected to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) taking place May 8–13, 2016 in Phoenix, AZ. https://scitechinstitute.orgwww.intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/competitions/international-science-and-engineering-fair/event-summary.html
This is not your ordinary science fair! Each year, approximately 7 million high school students from around the globe present their original research at local science competitions. All hope to qualify for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair but only 1,700 winners of local, regional, state, and national competitions are invited to participate. Participate and compete they do. The best and brightest from 70+ countries share ideas, showcase cutting-edge research, and compete for more than $4 million in awards and scholarships.
Intel’s support of STEM education goes beyond community activities and here again, they not only give voice to their commitment but take action; their commitment is thoroughly embedded within the corporate culture and extends to their employees. Intel strongly encourages and supports their employees’ involvement in the STEM education initiative; involvement in the classroom is of particular focus. Levin commented, “…when Intel employees get involved in the classroom, it is a way that kids can get acquainted with someone who is actually works in a STEM field, most kids don’t know anyone in these fields.”
With so much going on in the community and their intense involvement with students, Levin was asked about any particular incidents or stories about kids or their interaction at one of the many events sponsored by Intel. With that, Levin chuckled and said “ping pong ball launcher”. A young boy became totally enthralled with the ping pong ball launcher he was making. He spent quite a bit of time constructing the launcher then reworking it to see if he could make it launch further and further with each adjustment. The boy did not want to leave even when Dad was ready to go. Dad commented “ I just spent over $100 on a gaming system that doesn’t even begin to capture his attention like this, I would have done just as well with cardboard, tape,
tongue depressor, Dixie cup and duct tape.”
Before ending the interview, Levin commented on the partnership between AZ SciTech and Intel; an important partnership that has been ongoing since the initial start of AZSciTech. “…The partnership is very exciting and tremendously collaborative with a common goal of making Arizona a destination for seeking STEM education AND employment.”
SNEAK PEEK! This dynamic duo are embarking on another collaboration – Communities of Practice where different combinations of the like-minded in STEM education, from different areas, schools, organizations, businesses and employees from all sectors come together to solve STEM education challenges. Each member in the community brings their unique perspective and experience into the collaboration to solve the most pressing education issues of the present and the future. This collaboration has national roots and extremely far-reaching results for many!
As Levin stated, “Intel is not only perceived as the leader in STEM education, Intel strives to BE the leader in STEM education and there’s a lot of action between those words!”