Ohio’s largest science fair to be held at Central State

The Miami Valley Science and Engineering Fair (MVSEF) and West District Science Day (WDSD) will be held at Central State University on Saturday, March 15, 2008.

More than 450 students ranging from fifth to 12th grade will participate in the largest science fair in Ohio. Students represent seven area counties - Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery and Shelby.

“Every year we have outstanding presentations and the students get invaluable feedback from within the scientific community,” said Dr. Cadance Lowell, Chair of the Natural Sciences Department at Central State University and Director of WDSD. “The fair provides students a place to talk science by interacting with professional scientists and each other.”

WDTN-TV 2 News Meteorologist Carl Nichols will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards portion of the science fair. The MVSEF and WDSD both provide a forum for students from public, private and home schools to develop a strong foundation in the scientific method of observation, hypothesis, experimentation and conclusion. During the fairs, students meet and interact with college professors, professional scientists and engineers.

Central State University has hosted the Miami Valley Science and Engineering Fair and the West District Science Day since 2001. More than 150 volunteer judges, staff, and teachers work to make the fair possible. Students display in 13-categories from behavioral sciences to microbiology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering and physics.

Schedule of activities: Saturday, March 15 at Central State University

Projects set-up in Beacom Gym: 8:30 a.m.
Judging: 9:00 am to noon
Displays open to the public: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30p.m.
Awards Ceremony: 2:00 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Central State University, NET Incubator, Centerville Noon Optimists, Oakwood Rotary Club Foundation and Battelle. Special awards for students come from a variety of professional societies within the Miami Valley. Two students will have the opportunity to attend the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Ga. in May.

MVSEF is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). WDSD is affiliated with the Junior Ohio Academy of Science.