FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contacts:

Sara Gomez, Program Director, saragomez@mnmas.org, 612-643-0627

Lara Maupin, Communications, laramaupin@mnmas.org

TOP MINNESOTA STUDENTS GATHER AT STATE SCIENCE FAIR

More than 400 students to present original STEM research and compete for prizes and awards

[BROOKLYN CENTER, MN, March 27, 2019] -- More than 400 middle and high school students from across Minnesota will come together March 30 - 31 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN, to compete in the 82nd Annual State Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF), hosted by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS). These students were selected from among 2,500 students in grades 6 - 12 competing at regional science fairs.

“Through project-based science research, we see students gain important life skills like persistence and self-confidence, as well as a deeper understanding of the scientific method,” said MAS Executive Director Celia Waldock. “Kids have fun doing their research and then they get to present it to professionals and be recognized with awards and college scholarships for all their hard work. It’s a win-win for everyone!”

Doors will be open to the public from 3:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday for viewing high school projects and 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. on Sunday for middle school projects.

Students attending SSEF will participate in workshops, network with STEM professionals, and hear a keynote address by Dr. Jason Owens, Manager of Development Science at Beckman Coulter. Owens will discuss his journey in STEM and his work with stem cells and in corporate research and development.

Science professionals serving as judges provide students with feedback and determine which projects win awards and prizes. This year, 35 companies and organizations, including Seagate, Ecolab, and 3M, will award cash and prizes totaling over $22,000. Students will receive these prizes and numerous other awards at a ceremony to be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 31, 2019.

The most valuable prize remains the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Award, recognizing up to five of the top high school projects. Winners receive an expense-paid trip to ISEF, the world’s largest pre-college science competition where more than 1,700 students from over 70 countries showcase their research. This year, ISEF will be held in Phoenix, AZ, May 12-17, 2019.