Portland — Intel, a leading booster of science in American schools, is confounding education advocates by dropping support of a popular national contest for schoolkids called the Science Talent Search.
The New York Times’ Quentin Hardy first reported the news early Wednesday, reporting that the chipmaker’s decision frustrated education boosters and former Intel chief executive Craig Barrett, who said he is “surprised and a little disappointed” the chipmaker won’t maintain its leading role of support for the contest.
Intel took over sponsorship of the event from Westinghouse in 1998 and re-upped last fall, with a sponsorship commitment through March 2017. Society for Science & the Public, the nonprofit which runs the event, said it receives more than 1,800 applications annually and honors 300 teens annually with prizes totaling $1.6 million.
Forty finalists compete annually in Washington, D.C., where they have been feted by presidents and leading scientists.
The Society said it will seek a new sponsor to take over for Intel. Hardy reported that Intel’s annual expenses for the event total roughly $6 million.
Intel declined to explain its decision to The New York Times and did not immediately respond to a message seeking additional comment.
Unlike Westinghouse, which had divested itself of most of its technological operations when it severed ties with the science fair, Intel remains among the world’s biggest tech companies. The chipmaker reported record revenue last year, though it has twice cut forecasts for 2015 amid declining PC sales.
Intel, which employs 18,600 in Washington County, is promoting other tech initiatives including a $300 million push to increase diversity in the tech sector by developing new educational opportunities for women and minorities.
The company regularly hosts schools for science events at its Jones Farm campus in Hillsboro, Ore., and Intel donates to Oregon schools as part of a program that matches employees’ volunteer hours with cash payments.
