Science fair to be held in February

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 10, 2003

Soon Austin students will be sharing their knowledge on science topics from astronomy to zoology.

The City-wide Science Fair, originally scheduled for Saturday, will be held Feb. 8 at Austin High School.

Last year 240 students in grades three through 12 competed for a number of prizes provided by local businesses and organizations.

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Students who want to participate must have their registration forms in by Jan. 17. Forms should be available at their schools or at the Austin School District office.

The board also is holding a workshop for parents and students at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Banfield Elementary to show them the best ways to present their project's information.

"Display is the central focus of the project," said Laura Kuehl, community education services director and science fair committee member.

Kuehl said many elementary-age students have science fairs at their schools and are encouraged to participate at the city fair.

Students register by age group and the following project categories:

– Botany

– Medicine/health

– Environmental science

– Physical science

– Engineering/computers/ math

– Zoology/humans

– Consumer product testing

Kuehl said the purpose of the fair is to help the students learn more about science and to have fun.

"It's really an exceptionally good opportunity for children to work on the scientific method," Kuehl said.

Seven people sit on the board and judge the entries, said Linda Watson, a secretary in the Austin Public Schools educational services.

The fair begins at 7:45 a.m. Feb. 8 with registration at the Austin High School cafeteria. The public can view the projects after judging from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will be held 11:30 a.m. in the Ove Berven Gymnasium, Watson said.

The fair is open to all Austin students, including those who go to public, private and parochial schools and those who are home-schooled.

Some of the student's projects are very elaborate, Watson said.

"It always amazes me the ideas the kids come up with," she said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com