Marvel's IRON MAN 3 Announces Inventor & Innovator Fair Finalists

When Marvel's "Iron Man 3" lands in theatres, it's going to have company-some of the brightest young scientific minds in America.

Disney announced the 12 finalists in the Marvel's IRON MAN 3: INVENTOR and INNOVATOR FAIR, a nationwide science competition held in conjunction with the release of "Iron Man 3", sponsored by Discovery Science Center, Broadcom Foundation and Marvel Studios, along with Visa Signature and the famous El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood., On the evening of May 3rd, at the 4:30pm screening of Marvel's "Iron Man 3," Grand Prize winners will receive their awards in a special ceremony onstage at the El Capitan Theatre, hosted by Asa Kalama, a Walt Disney Imagineer. All 12 INVENTOR and INNOVATOR FAIR finalists will have their projects on display at the El Capitan from May 3rd - June 19th.

Like Iron Man's alter ego, Tony Stark, these young geniuses are discovering and creating the world for tomorrow. And getting to be a finalist hasn't been easy. Sixth through ninth-grade girls and boys across the nation were invited to participate in MARVEL'S IRON MAN 3: INVENTOR and INNOVATOR FAIR and asked to produce innovative, inventive projects based on STEM themes from "Iron Man 3" - STEM: (science, technology, engineering and math). The competition encouraged students to submit projects that aligned with the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) Grand Challenges for Engineering.

Earlier this month, after judges reviewed over 300 science projects from all over the country, 30 semi-finalists were chosen. From the 30 semi-finalists, the panel of judges chose 12 finalists, who will compete for the grand prize awards.

Following are the 12 finalists and their winning projects:

Anin Sayana, Cupertino, Calif. - "A Novel Configuration of Carbon Nanotubes to Inhibit ABCG2 and Selectively Target Chemotherapy-Resistant Cancer Stem Cells
Arjun Dhawan, Newburgh, Ind. - "Walking with Sensors"
Audrey Harris, Nokomis, Fla. - "Opening New Opportunities"
Cassie Drury, Louisville, Ky. - "Exploring Cell Signaling in Wound Healing"
Chase Lewis, Chapel Hill, N.C. - "Rescue Travois- Saving Lives"
Emma Christensen, Greenville, N.C. - "Saved by the Bug"
Galen Lee, Cottondale, Ala. - "Solar Funnel Cooler"
Justin Abrahim - Pittsburgh, Pa. - "Ouch! Helmets and Concussions"
Maya Patel, The Woodlands, Texas - "Gauging Inferno Sprawl"
Megan Swintosky, Hatfield, Pa. - "Novel Mutations in the FLCN Gene in Cases of Familial Spontaneous Pneumothoraces"
Shixuan Justin Li, Lynn Haven, Fla. - "No Mo Squites"
Stephen Coyne, Knoxville, Md. - "Robotic Prosthetics: A Hand Prototype"
Grand Prize judges for the Marvel's IRON MAN 3: INVENTOR and INNOVATOR FAIR will be Dr. Henry Samueli, Chairman of the Board, Broadcom Corporation; Joe Adams, President, Discovery Science Center; Janet Yamaguchi, Vice President of Education, Discovery Science Center; Dr. Yannis Yortsos, Dean of the Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California; and Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Chairman and CEO, NantWorks, LLC.

The 12 finalists of the Marvel's IRON MAN 3: INVENTOR and INNOVATOR FAIR won a trip to Southern California, provided by Visa Signature. The trip includes a meeting with Disney Imagineers, a trip to Disneyland, a visit to Discovery Science Center, a special experience at Broadcom Foundation, and more.

About the Movie

Marvel's "Iron Man 3" pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, Marvel's "Iron Man 3" is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce & Shane Black and is based on Marvel's iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of "Tales of Suspense" (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with "The Invincible Iron Man" (#1) in May of 1968.

Marvel's "Iron Man 3" is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige is producing and Jon Favreau, Louis D'Esposito, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Alan Fine, Stan Lee and Dan Mintz are executive producers. The film releases May 3, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com.

About El Capitan Theatre

Step into Hollywood's glittering past at the legendary El Capitan Theatre, which made its debut on May 3, 1926 as Hollywood's first home of Spoken Drama. This grand theatre has been restored to its original elegance of Spanish Colonial exterior and boasts a colorful and lavish East Indian interior designed by renowned San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh. In 1941, Orsen Welles' Academy Award winning CITIZEN KANE made its World Premiere at the El Capitan. As an exclusive First Run theatre for Walt Disney Studios, today the El Capitan Theatre sets a new standard for World Premieres, live stage shows, Disney attractions, and other special events that have helped restore showmanship to Hollywood Boulevard. For more information, visit www.elcapitantickets.com or call 1-800-DISNEY6.

About Discovery Science Center

For 25 years, Discovery Science Center (DSC) has been a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young minds, assisting educators teach science and increasing public understanding of science, technology, engineering and math through interactive exhibits and programs. With one of the largest education outreach programs in the county and an unparalleled approach at creating immersive, game-based exhibits, DSC is revolutionizing how educational content is delivered. Throughout the year, guests can take the Eco Challenge and become a green superhero or feel the power of a simulated rocket engine launch. Traveling exhibits and annual events such as Spooky Science and Bubblefest throughout the year ensure that there is always something new to discover. DSC owns and operates the Taco Bell Discovery Science Center based in Santa Ana, CA and will be opening a second facility in Los Angeles in 2014. For more information, call (714) 542-CUBE or visit www.discoverycube.org.

About Broadcom Foundation

Broadcom Foundation was founded to inspire and enable young people throughout the world to enter careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through partnerships with local schools, colleges, universities and non-profit organizations. Broadcom Foundation is the proud sponsor of the Broadcom MASTERS, a program of Society for Science & the Public - a national science and engineering competition for middle school children. The Foundation's mission is to advance education in STEM by funding research, recognizing scholarship and increasing opportunity. Learn more atwww.broadcomfoundation.org.

About Visa Signature

Visa Signature is a premium consumer payment card bringing cardholders benefits and perks that offer special access and provide everyday value Visa Signature cardholders get access to exclusive movie ticket offers to movies like Marvel's Iron Man 3 at www.Fandango.com/VisaSignature.Visa Signature is a proud sponsor of the theatrical release of Marvel's Iron Man 3. Visa Signature cardholders enjoy benefits such as complimentary 24-hour concierge services, access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers for fine wine and food, travel, and sports and great entertainment events like Marvel's Iron Man 3. For more information visit www.visa.com/signature.

About National Academy of Engineering

The US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. The mission of the National Academy of Engineering is to advance the well being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshaling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology. Established in 1964, NAE operates under the congressional charter granted to the National Academy of Sciences in 1863. Find out more at www.nae.edu.

About Asa Kalama

Asa Kalama is a Walt Disney Imagineer and the host of the award-winning educational DVD series, The Science of Disney Imagineering, which uses roller coasters, stunt shows and animatronics to teach scientific principles such as energy and trajectory. Learn more at www.disneyeducation.com.

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