Registration open for science fair
The Bartlesville District Science Fair is celebrating 70 years of hosting science fairs for area students. Registration for the 2022 fair is now open, and entries will be accepted until Feb. 3 for the annual science and engineering competition.
This year, like last, the fair will be held virtually, due to COVID restrictions.
“We had hoped to hold the fair in person this year, but the safety of our students and volunteers comes first. While we will miss seeing the students in person, holding the interviews virtually allows students to develop their PowerPoint and online presentation skills,” Gabriella Farnham, science fair director, said in a release.
Organizers will continue to use a software platform designed for science fairs called zFairs, which allows judges to connect by video with students, Farnham said.
“We are excited that our expert judges can continue to discuss science with students directly via zFairs. This software innovation is an example of how STEM can solve real-world problems just like these students will in the future."
The Elementary Fair, for students in grades 1 through 6, will be held Friday, Feb. 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. There is no fee for the elementary fair. Elementary students can be judged based upon a virtual interview or, if students do not have access to an internet connection or parent/mentor support, electronic slides summarizing their project will be judged without an interview.
“We are continuing to allow lots of flexibility for our youngest explorers so we can encourage early interest in science and technology," Farnham said.
Elementary Fair winners will be announced during the virtual awards ceremony that will be posted on Facebook at 6 p.m. on the evening of Feb. 28.
The Junior (grades 7-9) Fair will be held Wednesday, Feb. 24 from noon to 3 p.m., and the Senior (grades 9-12) Fair will be held Friday, Feb. 25, from noon to 3 p.m. These students will be required to interview with scientists and engineers who will ask questions to evaluate their projects.
"We believe that the interview is an important differentiator for the top contenders and an important part of the educational process for all involved in the science fair,” Farnham said.
Junior/Senior winners will be announced in a virtual awards ceremony posted on the fair’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27.
About 30 projects will be chosen from the Junior/Senior Fair to compete at the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair, and three will get a chance to shine at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Ga.
To participate, register at BartlesvilleDSF.org. More information and updates will be available on Facebook @BartlesvilleDistrictScienceFair. Companies interested in contributing may contact Farnham at gabriella.j.farnham@p66.com.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Registration open for science fair
