Google is putting young explorers and innovators to the test again.
For the company's 2016 Science Fair, which launched Tuesday, the task at hand to solve is: "#HowCanWe Make Things Better With Science?"
To inspire young minds — and set the ceiling high in the process — Google tabbed last year's grand prize winner, Olivia Hallisey, to pen a blog on the company's website for what individuals or teams competing this year should know.
"As the 2016 Google Science Fair launches today, I wanted to share a few tips from my own experience: First, as my teacher once guided me to do, look at the world around you for ideas," Hallisey wrote. "If you're stuck, try the Make Better Generator to find something that excites or inspires you. Second, find a mentor who's interested in the same things as you. There are a lot of helpful ideas on the GSF site to get you started. And finally, don't get discouraged — often what first appears like failure can teach you so much more."
The 17-year-old added: "I urge other teenagers like me to take this opportunity to find a way to make the world around them better. Every one of us, no matter our age or background, can make a difference — and as young people, we're not always so afraid to try things that adults think will fail. But change doesn't happen overnight, and it often starts with a question. So look at the world around you and challenge yourself to make something better."
Determined to help stop the spread of Ebola by pinpointing a faster way to diagnose it, Hallisey won the 2015 Google Science Fair by developing her Ebola Assay Card, a device that changes color when the virus is detected — something it can confirm in less than 30 minutes.
That being said, the bar is high for the 13- to 18-year-old individuals or teams planning to participate in this year's contest.
The deadline for project submissions is May 18. Regional finalists will be announced in July, with global finalists announced a month later and the awards celebration to follow in late September.
More details for the 2016 Google Science Fair can be found here.
