Young Scientists Compete for International Recognition

Published: March 22, 2010 | Author: Jennifer Burt | Read Time: 2 minutes

Casual observers and judges alike will be impressed by the level of scientific ingenuity showcased by the region’s young scientists at the Southern Utah Science and Engineering Fair (SUSEF) on Friday, March 26, in the Centrum Arena and Sharwan Smith Center.

Hosted by the SUU’s College of Science, this regional science fair for students of the fifth through twelfth grades has come a long way from baking soda volcanoes and ant farms. A campus event for the past 35 years, the 2010 SUSEF will feature projects that include new software, the testing of physics and complex chemical reactions.

Several local schools participate in the fair year after year, including Cedar Middle School, Canyon View Middle School, and SUCCESS Academy. There are also participants from other regional areas including St. George, Delta and Price.

The public can view projects between 10 a.m. and noon on Friday.

The fair consists of a senior fair for the older contestants (grades 9-12) and a junior fair for the younger participants (grades 5-8). Senior fair winners advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, competing against projects from over 50 countries, which will be held in San Jose, CA.

According to Kristina Bronsema, director of SUSEF, the fair is a longtime campus tradition, involving College of Science professors and students in both the coordination and judging of the competition.

Their motive, according to Bronsema: “The faculty, staff, and students of the College of Science love science, and we hope to spark that interest in young minds that might not otherwise be exposed to the scientific process.”

Along with continuing on to the International Science Fair, entrants have the potential to win thousands of dollars in scholarship money as well as other prizes and recognition from local and national organizations.

Additional information can be found online through SUU's College of Science.


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