“It’s lucky thirteen,” Craig Barrett is telling a TV crew before opening his last Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as Intel Chairman. “This is the thirteenth year we have been sponsoring ISEF and every year I get excited with all the energy of the kids.”

We’re in Reno, Nevada, a short day trip for a man who has traveled to more than 60 countries to advocate science and math education, the training of hundreds of thousands of teachers and the use of computers and other technology to improve people’s lives.

“I’m gonna miss it. I hope I get an invitation to come back after I am retired because I want to come mingle with the young people and see what they’re doing and sense their creativity. And mostly, watch them get excited, seeing what each other is doing, and getting new ideas from each other that they’ll carry forward.”

Barrett is talking with us after a typical, fast-walking tour and professorially exchange with student finalists at their project booths in the Sparks Convention Center. So many smart youngsters may seem out of place in a casino gambling town rimmed by snow-capped mountains, even in May. But the thought quickly fades in the buzz of more than 1500 budding scientists.

“Every year I get impressed with what you see young kids doing. The diversity of their investigation, I think, is staggering. I went from the shock impact for free-style skiers, the head impact, an instrumented helmet to algae turning into bio-fuels to, uh, electricity generation off of car batteries for, basically, uninterrupted power supplies in Nigeria. Just a wide variety of topics showing the imagination, creativity of the younger generation,” Barrett said smiling.

The doctor, who insists on being called Craig, gets mobbed during his tour. Point-and-shoots flash. Phone cameras are held above heads and over shoulders. People jockey for positions to get near him. He is surrounded by autograph-seekers at one point. A student nearly hyper-ventilates, saying she must get a picture with Craig, as she runs up to the cluster of cameras and entourage.

“The real end point of the Science Talent Search and ISEF is to elevate the recognition of achievement of the younger generation in academic and learning exercises,” he tell us after his rock-star-like reception in the giant hall. “I just hope they’ll grow in stature; they get more press, more media coverage. And that more and more young people will look at these as ‘Hey, I can get recognized using my brain. I just don’t have to be a quarterback, or a basketball player or a baseball player to get recognition from my peers and the public. I can get recognition using my brains.’ He pauses. “I just hope we can continue to build on the momentum we have, and make ISEF and STS even more significant going forward.”

At Barrett’s instigation, Intel has helped more than six million teachers in some 40 countries get trained in using technology to enhance students’ education, through the Intel Teach program. Nearly 500 million kids have benefited. Intel spends $100 million a year in support of science and math education worldwide.

“Education is the key. It opens the doors, opens the opportunity. If you don’t have a good education, you’re just locked out of so many, so many things, so many activities, so many professional opportunities. If you get a good education and then you pursue things that you love, the sky’s the limit. But you need to start with that fundamental good education.”

Barrett, a PhD in materials science, was a professor at Stanford University before coming to Intel 35 years ago.

“Yeah. My interest in education has been somewhat tied to Intel because Intel is very interested in education, the competitions we sponsor, the teacher training we sponsor. But I can still be active and I will be active in promoting the necessity to improve k-through-twelve education, especially math and science in the United States going forward. So that’s an area I intend to stay involved with.”

From 1997 to now, Craig added to his corporate jobs of President, COO, CEO and Chairman, the extra-curricular titles of United Nations envoy for tech, education advocate, and Technology Ambassador for people in emerging markets—and on the edge of 21st century living. He retires May 20th.

So what’s up Doc, next?

“Well, I’m in discussion with a few people about doing some teaching at the University level, and probably in international business competitiveness: what makes a society, what makes an economy competitive, education, investment in R-and-D, the right environment. So I’d love to do some teaching, especially international students-to try to put forth my thoughts and get feedback and get a good exchange going, “he said, briefly closing his eyes in contemplation.

“And then, there is always Montana. You know, the cattler in Montana, the cut-throat trouter in Montana, and the horses are in Montana,” he went on as the wide stage and screens of the ISEF gala filled his background once more and probably not again. “So I’m going to spend a little more time in Montana.”

All this week at Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair, we’ve been asking people to record their thoughts on what inspired their interest in math and science education—what inspires them. We concluded our TV talk by asking Craig what inspires him.

“I think my parents inspired me that a good education was the key to the future. And that getting a good education was the most important investment I could make. That’s what I’ve seen carried over time and time again.”

Thank you doctor Barrett.
“My pleasure.”

Tags: Craig Barrett, education, inspire, Intel ISEF, Reno

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