March 02, 2015
SIU Carbondale to host Region 8 Science Fair
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host students from around the region this week for the annual Illinois Junior Academy of Science Region 8 Science Fair.
About 350 junior high and high school students will participate in the event, which is set for Thursday, March 5, in the Student Center ballrooms. Judging is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all projects open to viewing from 1 to 4 p.m. Officials will present awards beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium.
There are 18 project categories, ranging from aerospace to behavioral science, health and zoology. More than 150 SIU faculty and graduate students volunteer their time to act as judges. Many academic departments and campus units also sponsor student and school awards totaling several thousand dollars. Only those registered with IJAS are allowed to compete. There is a $75 to $100 registration fee to become a member of the state organization.
SIU will host the state competition for the first time May 1-2. Region 8 judges on Thursday will select about 60 projects to advance to state.
For more information, contact Kathy Pericak-Spector, professor of mathematics and coordinator of the event, at 618/453-6569 or kpericak@math.siu.edu.