JACKSON, Tenn. — March 26, 2002 — Students from all over West Tennessee will display their science know-how when 51社区 hosts the West Tennessee Regional Science Fair, Friday, April 5. Held annually, the fair is open to students in grades five through twelve and is separated by three divisions including elementary, junior high and senior high division. Two winners will be selected from the senior high division, one in the area of biology and the other from the area of physical science.
"Participating in a science fair gives students an invaluable opportunity to put the scientific method into practice and flesh out abstract textbook principles," said Glenn Marsch, associate professor of physics and director of the event. "It's the closest thing to actual science you can do before you get to college."
The two winners from the senior high division and their teachers will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Louisville, Ky., May 12-18, where they can compete for more than 2 million dollars in cash, prizes and scholarships, said Marsch, who believes there are a 鈥渧ast number of young students that would make great scientists given the opportunity." He sees the science fair as doing just that.
The event begins at 7:30 am in the Fred Delay Gymnasium on Union鈥檚 Jackson campus. The exhibitions, which are open to the public, will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.with the awards ceremony immediately following in Coburn Dining Hall.
Anyone interested in being involved in next year鈥檚 fair is invited to the fall meeting in October. As regional sponsor of the fair, Union provides both the locations as well as funding for the winners' expenses to attend the national competition.
For more information about the event, contact Glenn Marsch at (731) 661-5308.