Student Winners of The DuPont Challenge Attend the 2013 White House Science Fair

Winning students from The DuPont Challenge were once again invited to the White House, as President Obama hosted the third annual White House Science Fair on Monday, April 22, 2013. The event acknowledged students from around the country who are pursuing their interests in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through science competitions, projects, and research.

Among the 100 students honored this year from more than 40 states were two winners from The 2012 DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition: Mike Espy and Cecelia Poole, who were both sitting onstage next to President Obama during his address and shook his hand after the speech.

As part of the Science Fair, students were given the opportunity to share their research and inventions with the attendees, including President Obama. After touring the science projects, the President spoke about the importance of innovation in STEM and thanked the parents, teachers, and other mentors who supported the students in their scientific endeavors. He also told the students, “We could not be prouder of all of you.”

Learn more about the Science Fair on the White House Blog

See videos from the Science Fair

Watch the full video or read the transcript of President Obama’s remarks

President Barack Obama delivers remarks in the East Room during the White House Science Fair, April 22, 2013. The fair is a key commitment in the President’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign to inspire more girls and boys to excel in science, technology, and math (STEM) subjects. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Mike Espy with actor and Reading Rainbow creator LeVar Burton

Cecelia Poole with NASA engineer Bobak “the Mohawk Guy” Ferdowsi

Cecelia Poole and Mike Espy with Bill Nye the Science Guy

Read more about The DuPont Challenge Winners at past White House Science Fairs:
2014 White House Science Fair
2012 White House Science Fair
2010 White House Science Fair