Ohio State to host 55th Annual State Science Day

COLUMBUS – Nearly 1,000 students in grades 7-12 from across Ohio will exhibit their science research projects at the 55th annual State Science Day on Saturday, May 3, at the French Field House on the Ohio State University campus in Columbus. The students will compete for nearly 100 scholarships and awards valued at more than $654,000. Ohio State President Karen A. Holbrook will welcome the students.

“State Science Day is the pinnacle of student originated, inquiry-based science education for Ohio’s students,” said Lynn Elfner, chief executive officer of The Ohio Academy of Science.

The academic equivalent of a state athletic championship, this year’s event is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Drawing from a base of 35,000 student participants at more than 1,000 local science fairs, approximately 1,000 seventh- to 12th-grade students from nearly 300 schools will be evaluated on their scientific research and communication skills. More than 40,000 students have participated in the annual event since it was first held in 1949.

Ohio State President Karen A. Holbrook, in a recent letter to Ohio Academy of Science Chief Executive Officer Lynn Elfner, lauded State Science Day and said “Students who have the freedom and encouragement to participate actively in scientific research give their communities pride and cultivate their own ambition and ability to succeed.”

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, recycling and litter prevention, and water resources research

The Ohio Academy of Science, American Electric Power, The Ohio Environmental Education Fund, and Roxane Laboratories Inc. sponsor State Science Day. Sarah Sieling, who organizes Ohio’s Science Olympiad, is Ohio State’s Science Day site coordinator. Questions about State Science Day may be directed to Mr. Lynn Elfner, Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio Academy of Science, at (614) 488-2228.

A web site has been established for information and updates. The URL is: http://statescienceday.osu.edu/