One winner wrote a pattern-detecting computer program to help identify breast cancer in screening tests. Another proved that marinades can eliminate almost all the carcinogens produced when grilling chicken, while a third created bioplastics from banana peels.

These are among the creative projects that middle and high school students have presented the Google Science Fair. The global online competition, which is open to individuals or teams from 13 to 18 years old, has awards in several categories, including for state winners and in computer science. (Watch videos of past finalists.)

The grand prize for 2014 includes a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Expeditions, a behind-the-scenes look at the Virgin Galactic Spaceport, and $50,000 in scholarships.

Click HERE to register for the competition. (Students need not attend the same school to collaborate.) The submission deadline is May 13, 2014, with regional finalists and local award winners announced on June 26.

Filed under: Competitions and Contests, K-12 Outreach Programs

Tags: Competitions for Students, Contest, Google Science Fair, online contest