Whiz Kids

At a time when American teens lag far behind other countries in math and science, WHIZ KIDS is a coming-of-age documentary that tells the story of three remarkably different yet equally passionate 17-year-old scientists who vie to compete in the nation's oldest, most prestigious science competition. Win or lose, these ‘whiz kids’ raise questions about class, courage, personal sacrifice, success and failure, and in the process, learn as much about themselves as they do about science.

RELEVANCE
Over the past eight years, countries like China and India vastly increased support for research and development, while U.S. funding remained largely stagnant. Not surprisingly, U.S. teens now rank 24th in the world in math and science.

As global economies become increasingly competitive, America's future rests on the shoulders of our next generation. The main characters in WHIZ KIDS demonstrate that American students can meet that challenge.

The Science Talent Search began in 1942 and is the oldest, most prestigious science competition in America. Formerly sponsored by Westinghouse, it is now known as the Intel Science Talent Search. Each year over two thousand students compete for prizes totaling more than $1.5 million. In the end, forty finalists travel to Washington D.C. to present their research to top scientists and vie for a $100,000 grand prize.

Why Whizkids
While the competition itself provides a grueling and emotionally compelling narrative, the filmmakers agreed that the coming of
age stories of its contenders would comprise the heart of the film. For a year and a half, they visited high schools around the country searching for teenagers who were engaged in sophisticated research. The team found students, who at 16 and 17, were already working in university and government labs, sometimes alongside Nobel Prize winning scientists. They also found students with fewer resources who had transformed basements and garages into makeshift labs.

Several traits were consistent among these ‘whiz kids’—an insatiable curiosity, a deeply felt determination to communicate their work to the public and a passion to make a difference in the world.

“It’s time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and work to restore America’s place as the world leader in science and technology.”
—Barack Obama

“Gripping.” -Washington Post
“Emotionally charged!” –Michael Fox, SF 360
“Truly Inspiring!” – Science News
“The Hoop Dreams of our decade.” John Hollar, Director Computer History Museum

“No ordinary trip to the science fair.” Santa Barbara News Press
Officially selected for the International Documentary Association’s 2010 American Documentary Showcase, co sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Featured on the Bob Edwards Show and officially selected in several international film festivals, including Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Cinequest, the Nation’s Environmental Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and an official screening at the National Academy of Sciences.

“An unabashed celebration of geekitude, idealism and the will to win.” (Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times)

“Dwelling as much on setbacks and hurdles as on the glitter of competition, this quietly absorbing film is finally more about character formation -- curiosity, persistence, endurance -- than about achievement as a means to some extrinsic social end.” (Ella Taylor, Village Voice)