***NJC Press Release***
Public invited to come and view projects during afternoon
With all of the educational changes that have been implemented in the last two decades in education – two methods that have stood the test of time are clear then and even now. Learning does increase when students work hard and learning does increase when students are taught by great teachers. Understanding the importance of these concepts is the drive for the three directors of the Northeast Colorado Regional Science Fair.
The 57th Annual Northeastern Colorado Regional Science Fair will be held on Thursday, March 1 at the Northeastern Junior College Hays Student Center. Approximately 70 students will be presenting their research findings to judges. The public is invited to see the students’ work from 3:30 till 4:30 p.m. on this date. Also open to the public, the Awards Ceremony will be held at the Dorothy Corsberg Theater at 5:00 p.m. This year’s fair features two prior competitors who are now back, serving as directors of the event.
Director Andrew Fritzler of Merino was involved in research in his junior and senior years of high school--now seven years ago. Director Raylene Larson of Fleming, a current student at Northeastern Junior College, was involved in her high school research program three years ago. Penny Propst, even though retired from education after 35 years, still volunteers her time as a regional fair director. The northeast fair has stood the test of time as it approaches an important milestone - six decades of science learning through research.
The Northeast Colorado Regional is open to students in grades sixth through eighth, Junior Division; and ninth through twelfth, Senior Division. Schools participating in past fairs and again returning this year will be: Fleming High School, Buchanan Middle School (Wray), Wray High School, Yuma Middle School, Merino Junior High School, Merino High School and Liberty Middle School. New to the regional fair this year will be Sterling High School under the guidance of Carlye Armstrong.
Not only do students benefit academically from a program such as this, but there are numerous monetary benefits. Numerous scholarships, cash awards, travel funds, and teacher grants will be awarded through the gifts provided by the Frank and Gloria Walsh Science Foundation and other numerous sponsors. Scholarships awarded this year will total $30,000.
Through the Frank and Gloria Walsh Science Foundation, schools in the Sterling and outlying areas have been given the opportunity to apply for grants to assist in funding student research. Now in its seventh year, a teacher grant entitled, Investing in Science Research for the Classroom has made great changes in the classrooms for area teachers. Educators may apply to receive generous awards to help with research in the classroom. Through the Walsh grant, many teachers promoting student research in their middle or high school have advanced their science research programs. These instructors have improved the quality of their data collections as they use their monetary awards to increase computer technology, update equipment, purchase supplies, and pay for student travel expenses to use university technology. Educators from schools participating in past fairs as well as any wishing to sponsor student research have each been awarded up to $5,000 per year if their proposal is approved. The Frank and Gloria Walsh Science Teacher Grants are renewable each year.
Students explain their projects with poster board presentations. Twenty students will be invited to attend the Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair in Fort Collins on April 5-7. The top senior high project will be invited to attend the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 13 - 18. Each student finalist attending this fair is given a travel stipend of $1500 by the Walsh Science Foundation. .
The projects are categorized in each division according to the following areas: botany, chemistry, earth and space sciences, engineering, environmental, medicine and health, behavioral sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, microbiology, physics, and zoology.
Prior to judging, the Regional Safety Review Committee will examine the exhibits to make sure the projects follow the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) guidelines.
About 40 judges will score the projects from 8:30 a.m. till 3:30 pm. In addition to the numerous scholarships, many special awards from the Armed Services and 15 special interest groups will be given, plus the overall grand awards.
The Northeast Colorado Regional Fair would not be possible without the continued support of its sponsors. Sponsors of this event include: Northeastern Junior College; Frank and Gloria Walsh Science Foundation; Intel Foundation, Bank of Colorado; Chaney-Reager Funeral Home; Mark McDonald Physical Therapy Center; Sterling Eye Center, L.L.P./William Buchanan, M.D. and John Eliff, M.D.; Wright and Williamson; Dean and Vay Lousberg; Tennant Funeral Home and Crematory; Reck Agri Services, Inc.; William and Sandra Condon Family Foundation; Schmale Realty; Fetzer and Company; James Leh; Johnson Chiropractic; Wells Fargo Bank; Sterling Health Foods; Jim and Nancy McNay; Sterling Federal Credit Union; Pro Sports, Sterling Ethanol, and Premier Farm Credit.
For more information, please contact the Regional Fair Director, Penny Propst, 522-2295.
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