Traditions are important in a community and this coming weekend will see the return of the West Liberty Regional Science & Engineering Fair to West Liberty University campus as middle and high school students demonstrate their scientific knowledge through posters, exhibits and sharing.
“The Regional Science & Engineering Fair encourages young students and recognizes quality scientific investigation in students while rewarding them for their work,” said co-director Dr. Zachary Loughman, who himself participated in many science fairs during his younger years. “I know first hand what this kind of scholarly competition does for young scientists. West Liberty University’s College of Sciences is pleased to be a part of the annual tradition of our Regional Science and Engineering Fair.”
Scheduled for Feb. 27 – 28, it is open to grades 6 – 12 and takes place in the Campbell Hall of Health Sciences. Loughman is an assistant professor of biology at West Liberty University and is known for his extensive work in biology with species identification and crayfish.
“Science and engineering fairs are important ways to encourage young students and expose them to research and the scientific method,” said co-director Dr. Theunis Van Aardt, assistant professor of chemistry. “It’s always rewarding to chat with the students who participate and hear their excitement at attending the event.”
Any student or group of students from Jefferson and Belmont counties in Ohio and Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia, are welcome to take part in the fair.
Applications were completed online to register for the event. The event begins with exhibit set-up from 1:30 – 3 p.m., Friday on the first floor of Campbell Hall. A 5 p.m. parents reception is followed by the Grand Prize judging, taking place from 7 – 10 p.m. that evening. The Awards Ceremony will follow at 12:30 p.m., Saturday in Kelly Theatre.
Students compete for category awards, special awards, and an opportunity to go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The Senior Division Grand Prize winner receives, in addition to numerous category and special awards, an all-expense-paid trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair where they will compete for $1.4 million in scholarships and cash prizes at the International Fair. A second Regional Fair competitor will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the International Fair as an observer.
“The WLU science fair is the largest in the region and we are grateful for the support of our faculty and the Wheeling Civitan Club who make this happen,” said Loughman.
For more information, contact Dr. Loughman at 304-336-8923 or at zloughman@westliberty.edu. To view the complete science fair schedule, visit westliberty.edu/college-of-sciences.
