Register Now to Judge UC s Science and Engineering Expo on March 14

The University of Cincinnati will host the fifth annual Science & Engineering Expo on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Researchers are invited to judge this traditional spring event that brings students from across five Ohio counties to UC for a day of STEMM competition on campus.

The science fair is open to students in grades 7–12 from Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Preble and Warren counties. Top projects from the UC science fair will qualify for the State Science Day in Columbus on May 9, 2009. In addition to thousands of dollars in scholarships and cash prizes offered at the district and state levels of competitions, top contenders at the UC Science and Engineering Expo may also qualify for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (the world’s largest pre-college science celebration).

Each judging team will be composed of two people, a science teacher and a scientist, either from industry or from the university. The committee is seeking individuals from diverse fields, including (but not limited to) zoology, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, medicine and health, microbiology and physics.

An 8 a.m. training session will be held for all the judges on the morning of the event, with breakfast, lunch and parking provided for the judges.

The committee is asking for faculty researchers, scientists, grad students and area professionals to register online to judge the science fair.

“We welcome professionals from industry to come judge our fair,” says Tom Cruse, associate provost and director of the UC Science & Engineering Expo. “Ideally, we like to pair one of our faculty members or graduate students with a teacher from the area schools who is used to dealing with kids at that grade level and knows what to expect. It’s a great experience and a very rewarding way to spend a day.”
 
UC’s Science & Engineering Expo gives local educators the opportunity to earn a continuing education unit or graduate credit for their time. In between the project judging and the awards ceremonies, UC presents a teachers' workshop.

Teachers can earn one continuing education unit or one graduate credit at a reduced rate of $148 for attending either the SEE or workshop. Attendance at both SEE and workshops will earn two continuing education units or two graduate credits, for only $296.

UC’s Science & Engineering Expo also gives local engineering professionals the opportunity to earn a continuing education unit or graduate credit for their time.

“We’re hoping that many of UC’s current scientists can join us for this experience that awards the creativity and discovery of the region’s future scientists,” says Cruse.

To register to become a judge, simply fill out the judges' online registration form.

For more information about judging or either of these workshops, call the science fair information line at 513-556-4433.