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NEWS RELEASE

03-23-01

Contacts:
Andrea Spencer, ISSTF Director, (712) 359-2437
Howard Shapiro, Provost's Office, (515) 294-6365
Skip Derra, News Service, (515) 294-4917

STATE'S BEST SCIENCE PROJECTS ON DISPLAY AT IOWA STATE

AMES, Iowa -- Ever wonder if music helps plants grow? Or what the effects of Starlink corn are on animals? Do you question how soft drinks affect your teeth? Or do you wonder what can be done to help Earth's ozone layer? These are some of the questions that will be explored at the 2001 Iowa State Science and Technology Fair.

Students from across Iowa will show off their best science projects at the fair, which will be held March 30-31. Science fair events are free and open to the public.

The fair is the only statewide general science fair for middle- and high-school students in Iowa. Science fair exhibits will be on display in Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The fair concludes Saturday with an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

"The science fair is a great benefit to students because it allows them to develop their knowledge and skills in science and technology," said Howard Shapiro, ISU vice provost and chair of the science fair board.

"Iowa's best and brightest students participate in the science fair and it is amazing to see the level of science at which they perform," added Andrea Spencer, director of the fair.

Science fair entries are broadly divided in physical and biological sciences at three levels: seventh grade, eighth grade and senior (ninth through 12th grades). Prizes will be awarded at the seventh- and eighth-grade levels. High school winners receive scholarships as well as other prizes.

The value of awards to be given out this year is approximately $30,000. The Iowa Space Grant Consortium will sponsor a $5,000, four-year tuition grant, which can be used at any of Iowa's Regents universities or Drake University. Whitney Memorial Scholarships will be handed out to first, second and third place winners in the high school biological and physical sciences divisions.

Last year, more than 400 students from across Iowa participated in the fair.

"We expect the students participating in this year's fair to have equally exciting projects on display, and we invite everyone to come see them," Shapiro said.

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