Ohio State hosts 61st annual State Science Day

COLUMBUS – On Saturday, May 9, 2009, over 1,100 aspiring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students in grades 7–12 from 290 schools in 67 Ohio counties will exhibit their science research projects at the 61st annual State Science Day hosted by The Ohio State University in the French Field House, 460 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus. The STEM scholars will vie for more than $2.5 million in scholarships and awards.

"STEM is a bridge to our future linked by the spans of technology and engineering that rest on the foundations of science and mathematics," says Lynn Elfner, chief executive officer of The Ohio Academy of Science. "More STEM scholars and their supporters will appear at State Science Day than at any other time or place all year."

State Science Day is to STEM education as a state championship game is to athletics. Judges evaluate student-originated, inquiry-based projects and the scientific research and communication skills of the students who advanced to the state-level competition from 16 district science days.

"We are honored to host this great competition among so many of our state's most talented young people," said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "Never has it been more important for us to nurture their creativity and problem-solving skills, particularly in the STEM fields."

Since 1949, local, district, and State Science Days have comprised Ohio's largest and most far-reaching STEM education program producing graduates who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. More than 50,000 students have participated in the annual event.

Among the many awards at State Science Day are Governor's Awards for Excellence in Student Research in agriculture and food science, biotechnology, environmental science, information science and technology, manufacturing sciences, materials science, and water resources research.

The Ohio Academy of Science, American Electric Power Ohio, The Ohio Environmental Education Fund, and Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane, Inc., sponsor State Science Day. The site coordinator is Ashleigh Windnagel in Ohio State's Office of Continuing Education.

For more information about State Science Day, visit http://statescienceday.osu.edu/ or call (614) 488-2228.

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Public viewing of student exhibits starts at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 1:45 p.m. in French Field House, 460 Woody Hayes Drive. The best time for reporters and photographers to interview students and judges is from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., as projects are being judged. For media access prior to the public viewing, contact Latina A. D. Rockhold, Continuing Education, (614) 688-3310 or rockhold.14@osu.edu.