Aspiring Young Scientists Gearing Up

It is that time of year again. Registration has opened for the 59th Annual Central California Regional Science, Mathematics and Engineering Fair. The Fair has a new website this year to make registering easy and effective. The site is www.smefair.org. All entries are due by December 16th, 2011. The Fair will be held March 19 - 22, 2012 at the Fresno Fair Grounds. Last year over 500 students in grades 6 through 12 registered. Students can enter projects individually or in teams of 2 or 3.

Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 and high school students who place first are eligible to advance to the California State Science Fair held in Los Angeles April 30 and May 1, 2012 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. 60 students advanced to the State competition last year.

The top two individual winners from the Senior Division will go on to represent our regional fair at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, May 13 - 18, 2012. Now in its 63nd year, the Intel ISEF is the world's only international science fair representing all the sciences, mathematics and engineering for students in grades 9-12. Its goal is to bring together students and teachers from around the world to establish new collaborations for future research and experience cultural exchanges.

Working on a science fair project introduces students to the scientific method and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in the 21st Century. The process of a project teaches and cultivates cross disciplinary skills in a student. A project also utilizes the skills of art, reading, math, ethics, public speaking and critical thinking.

Students from public, private and parochial schools will strive to take home ribbons, medals, trophies and more than 100 special awards.