Regional Science & Engineering Fair Continues to Strengthen STEM Education

On Saturday, March 9, the College of Science at West Liberty University will welcome hundreds of young students to the Regional Science & Engineering Fair, an academic competition that inspires and encourages science and engineering exploration in middle and high school age students.

“We have been doing this for a long time now, and science students and educators look forward to the opportunity to present their projects and share their work here at West Liberty University. We also want to thank our sponsor, Southwestern Energy, for supporting the fair and STEM education in our region,” said fair director Dr. Zachary Loughman

Loughman is a professor of biology, zoology and ecology at WLU and is known for his work with crayfish.

Students in area schools are invited to submit their projects and posters and share their scientific investigation with WLU campus and the judges during the event. Lunch is not included but is available in the campus cafeteria, known as the Marketplace.

Any student from the counties of Jefferson and Belmont in Ohio; and Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler and Wetzel in West Virginia, are eligible to participate.

Online pre-registration is open until 4 p.m., Friday, March 1. In-person registration also will be held from 8:30-9 a.m. on March 9, just before the event begins.

After registration, the fair gets started with check-in at Campbell Hall of Health Sciences, and exhibit setup. Category judging is at 9:45 a.m. followed by grand prize judging. The awards ceremony will conclude the day at 3 p.m. in Kelly Theatre.

Before the ceremony, fun science and engineering activities will be provided by the SMART Center Market and Oglebay’s Good Zoo.

“Students compete for category awards, special awards, and an opportunity to go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair during the day, and our Senior Division Grand Prize-winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair,” added Loughman.

At the Intel Fair, the winning student will go on to compete for $1.4 million in scholarships and cash prizes. A second West Liberty Regional Fair competitor will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the International Fair as an observer.

“Local teachers value this chance to get their students out of the classroom and into a competitive, research-driven science and engineering fair. We are pleased to provide this opportunity and to welcome these young scientists to campus,” said Karen Kettler, interim dean of the College of Sciences.

For more information, call 304-336-8923.