Intellectual stimulus package: Reno hosts the international science fair
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the importance of young entrepreneurship, although some of those young entrepreneurs will be America’s future rocket scientists.
Next month, these aspiring rocket scientists, physicists, engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world will converge at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as our city hosts the 2009 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which NCET is proud to support.
From May 10-16, more than 1,000 of the world’s brightest young minds from more than 50 countries will showcase their brilliance, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit as they compete for $4 million in prize money in the world’s largest science, math and engineering competition.
And that’s not all. In addition to gathering the world’s greatest young minds in the Biggest Little City, the fair also will bring hundreds of judges, including Nobel Prize scientists, along with major corporate sponsors and exhibitors, including Intel, Google, IGT and AT&T Nevada.
The RSCVA estimates that more than 6,000 visitors will attend the event, bringing $6.6 million in tourist revenue to the region.
The annual fair is administered nationally by Society for Science and the Public based out of Washington, D.C., and works in conjunction with a local host committee. In Reno, this local host committee is Gathering Genius, a Nevada nonprofit organization. 
Its mission is to increase student excellence, competitiveness and participation in the science, technology, engineering and math fields in the state of Nevada.
The legacy of hosting Intel ISEF will be stronger science fairs and education outreach in our state. Gathering Genius said it hopes the fair will raise enough money to continue aiding and enhancing science fairs throughout Nevada and the nation, encouraging and enriching science education in the state. After the fair, Gathering Genius will use the remaining funds to enhance science education in Nevada, creating a post-fair legacy.
It’s difficult to talk about importance of events like the fair without using clichés about "children are the hope of our future" and "sowing the seeds of prosperity." The reality, however, is that Gallup studies show 77 percent of today’s high school students already think teaching entrepreneurship in schools is important.
Volunteers, judges and funds are still needed for Gathering Genius to achieve its goals. For information on how you can contribute, please visit www.gatheringgenius.com
Dave Archer is the chief executive officer for Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.Visit www.NCET.org for more information.
