Starting today, we’ll be profiling a couple of Intel Science and Talent Search finalists everyday, leading up to the science competition. We want to share with you the faces and stories behind each one of the 40 final science projects that are on its way to Washington D.C. next month.

In no particular order, here are two of the 40 Intel Science and Talent Search finalists:

Namrata Anand – The Harker School, San Jose, CA

Project: A Spectral Analysis of the Chemical Enrichment History of Red Giants in the Andromeda Galaxy Field (M31) vs. Its Dwarf Spheroidal (dSph) Satellites

Inspired by her father and encouraged by her physics teacher, Namrata, 16, leveraged this research to unify three fields she was passionate about: math, computer science and science. Her conclusions about Andromeda, a galaxy very similar to our own, can help scientists identify locations with high probability for extraterrestrial life. Namrata speaks Tamil, Spanish and Hindi fluently and is also a varsity cross country runner.

Akhil Mathew – Madison High School, Madison, NJ

Project: Deligne Categories and Representation Theory in Complex Rank

For his project, Akhil, 17, investigated Etingof’s mathematical program of representation theory in complex rank using categorical methods. Since Middle School, he had shown a keen interest in algebra and algebraic geometry and this project allowed him to further understand how he could apply the techniques of algebraic geometry, representation theory and category theory. In his spare time, Akhil volunteers at the Madison Public Library where he teaches a chess class, helping elementary students learn the basic rules and strategies of the game.

We’re just six weeks away from my favorite event of the year; the Intel Science Talent Search. As you know, last week we announced the 40 finalists who will head to D.C. for a week in March to compete for $630,000 from the Intel Foundation! When reviewing the list of 2010 finalist, I was awe-struck by the caliber of projects in this year’s competition! There are a number of intriguing projects on this year’s roster.

To name a few:

• Relationships between Oncologist Gender, Participatory Decision Making, Anxiety and Breast Cancer Cure – Kevin Xu

• Language Perception, Production, and Memory: A Comparison of Older and Younger Adults -Yuval Calev

• Traveling the Interplanetary Superhighway: An Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation System- Erika DeBenedictis

I look forward to not only meeting these amazing students in Washinton D.C. but to following their careers through college and beyond as they are the next generation of leaders. Watch inspiredbyeducation.com and @intelinspire on twitter for more details on each of the 40 finalists over the next few weeks and join us in congratulating these students for their remarkable work on our Speak Up Page!

It’s been a busy, but very rewarding week here at Intel. We announced the top 40 Intel Science Talent Search 2010 Finalists. These young innovators reflect the best and brightest in the U.S. and will compete for $630,000 in awards during a week-long rigorous judging process. Stay tuned to Inspire to follow Intel and these 40 finalists to Washington D.C.!

Also this week, Gabriela Farfan and Li Boynton, two former Intel science fair winners were invited to join Michelle Obama in the First Lady’s box at the 2010 State of the Union address.

Hear what they had to say about the White House invitation, their inspirations in life, and advice they had to offer the next generation of scientists.

Yesterday, we talked about Gabriela Farfan and Li Boyton being invited to sit with Mrs. Obama in the the First Lady’s Box at the 2010 State of the Union. They also met with Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, and John Holdren, Science and Technology Advisor to the President. We have the pleasure of sharing with you Gabriela’s and Li’s reactions and thoughts from last night’s State of the Union. Enjoy!

Once again, Congratulations to Gabriela and Li for being such great role models for other students!

Gabriela (left) and Li all smiles after the State of the Union

Gabriela Farfan

I am still trying to calm down from the adrenaline rush of tonight’s events. I feel deeply honored to have been invited to sit with the First Lady in her box at the State of the Union Address. I think that President Obama’s speech was inspirational and moving. It was a forceful reminder of how far we have come this year and how much more we have to go. I was particularly happy at how he stressed the importance of science and math education as the key to our future and a competitive society. I believe that government encouragement and funding of science education is essential. But it is ultimately up to the students and their parents to make the real difference. As a student, it is important to take your interests seriously and ask questions. There are so many resources out there waiting for you to grab them. As for the parents, I can say that it was my parent’s (and many other friend’s) support of my interest in geology that fueled my enthusiasm and success.

As for the experience of the State of the Union itself, the room was freezing! However, everyone is packed into a room that is much smaller than what it appears to be on TV, so it warmed up quickly. Before the president took the podium, it was incredible to see the faces of people I had learned about in high school: Nancy Pelosi, VP Biden, supreme court justices and many, many more. They were all in front of me at once, milling around like normal people! During the speech it was very interesting to observe the different reactions. Sometimes everyone cheered, sometimes is was only the democrats and sometimes it was random. Every few sentences, we would all stand up and clap, especially when the First Lady rose. I found the entire process fascinating and truly gratifying. Sitting in the First Lady’s box made it feel like we were participating in history and democracy. After the Address, I got a picture with both Barack and Michelle Obama : ). The President shook my hand and the First Lady gave me a hug. I thanked Michelle Obama for being such a great role model and told the President that he did an amazing job on his speech. I could not have asked for a better evening.

Li Boynton

Being in the Capitol for the State of the Union Address was completely surreal. When Michelle Obama walked in the room, I was stunned. I was so used to seeing her on TV, I expected a glass screen to be right in front of me! But Michelle was so warm, down-to-earth, and inviting that I began to feel at home in the White House Theater. Later on, when we met in the Presidential Box at the Capitol, she shook my hand and told me she was proud of me. I was so star-struck I whispered, “I just touched Michelle Obama!” to the guest next to me.

Even more so, I loved Obama’s speech. I think he executed his first State of the Union Address very powerfully. I’m very passionate about several of the topics he supported, such as gay marriage and an equal pay approach, which was exciting. I probably clapped the hardest when he talked about education reform that supports students excelling in math and science, since I knew I was a role model for that. He also spent a lot of time emphasizing the need to revamp our energy infrastructure towards one of clean energy, which I believe is vital to the state of our nation and economy. His relentless belief and optimism in our nation, despite status quo hardships, was really inspiring.

But what really inspired me was all the support from people in my community, my state, and even the world. A couple days ago, a family friend from Chicago emailed me and told me he and his kids were going to have a “little watch party and pop popcorn” for me. He said his kids were also aspiring scientists and looked to me as a role model. I realized then that what inspires me most is inspiring other people. Before all the opportunities and awards Intel provided me with, I was following in the footsteps of scientists I could only dream to be. Now I realize that not only am I capable, but also that I myself set an example for others. This is what really inspires me to keep achieving and solving problems in the world around me with science and real-life application.

I must admit that I rarely watched the State of the Union Address before. But after tonight, I’m sure I’ll watch it every year. However, it certainly can’t compare to watching it live next to Michelle Obama!

Here are some additional photos from yesterday and this morning.

Today, we’d like to congratulate the 40 Intel Science Talent Search (STS) Finalists for their groundbreaking research in science and math innovation.

From measuring indoor air pollution caused by paraffin and soy candles to building a clearer hearing assistance device, these young innovators reflect the best and brightest in the U.S. This year’s finalists come from 18 states and represent 36 schools across the country. New York has the highest number of young innovators in this competition, followed by California, Texas and Illinois.

From March 11-16, finalists will gather in Washington D.C. to compete for $630,000 in awards. The finalists will undergo a rigorous judging process, meet with national leaders, interact with leading scientists and display their research at the National Academy of Science. The top winner will receive $100,000 from the Intel Foundation.

Join us in congratulating these students for their remarkable work on our Speak Up Page!