Innovation in Action: Students Compete for More than $120K in Prizes

Innovation in Action: Middle- and High-School Students Compete for More than $120K in Prizes at CT Science Fair

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Hamden, Conn., Feb. 28, 2012 – We keep hearing that innovation is the key to turning around the economy of not only Connecticut, but also the nation.  See innovation in action on March 15, when about 150 Connecticut Science Fair (CSF) finalists, (middle- and high-school students who are tomorrow’s leaders in science, technology, engineering and math,) present their research to nearly 300 volunteer judges from government, academia, professional societies and industry.  These 150 finalists, selected from the 600 student competitors at the 64th annual Connecticut Science Fair (CSF), will compete for more than $120,000 as well as several trips to represent the state at international competitions.

This event brings together the best of the best.  CSF participants have been selected from more than 12,000 students throughout Connecticut and several bordering New York state towns who have participated in local science fairs during the current school year.  The CSF is being held March 13-17 at Quinnipiac University in Hamden.

“Many of these students are working on top-level research projects, some of which have lasted for several years,” said CSF Fair Director Bob Wisner, who was a CSF top winner himself in the 1960s.  Our science fair is not filled with baking soda volcanoes.  The research has depth and is innovative.  Many of these students are working with top researchers at leading Connecticut universities.”

Among some of the interesting project titles that students are working on for the fair are:

  • Determining the Amount of Energy in Sports Drinks Using Calorimetry
  • The Use of Social Entrepreneurship and Piezoelectric Energy-Harvesting Devices in Footwear to Limit Energy Poverty in Africa
  • Investigating the Hygiene Hypothesis:  A Case-Control Study of Food Allergies and Age of Food Allergen Exposure in High School Teenagers
  • Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF) Piezoelectric Generator: A Novel Approach to Harvesting Vibrations from Human Respiration to Power Biological Implant Devices
  • Should a School Advertise more Sports or Academics Online?
  • A Bright Idea: Comparing the Efficiency of Incandescent, CFL and LED Light Bulb

The media is invited to see innovation in action as the 150 student finalists showcase their research during final judging between 8:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 15.  The students will present their projects to and answer questions from nearly 300 volunteer judges from government, academia, professional societies and industry.   ALL WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

Another potential media opportunity exists on Saturday, March 17, during the Finalist Award Ceremony.

ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TO THE MEDIA IN ONE PRESS RELEASE TO BE ISSUED ON SATURDAY AT 1:00 PM.  

In addition to the State Fair Awards, some of the CSF’s top winners will represent the state and compete for more than $5 million in cash and scholarships at competitions including the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college science fair, the International Sustainable World Energy, the International Sustainable World Engineering, Energy & Environment Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) GENIUS Olympiad and the BROADCOM Masters Competition.

Potential media opportunities during fair week are:

Tuesday, March 13                              12:30 – 7:30 pm          Project set up

Wednesday, March 14                        9 am – 2 pm                Preliminary and Special

Awards Judging (Students are NOT present)

Thursday, March 15                          9 am – 1:15 pm           Finalist Judging**

BEST MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

(150 student finalists and 300 volunteer judges ARE present and available for interviews)

Saturday, March 19    9 am – 10:30 am  Special Awards Ceremony   •  11:00 pm – 1:00 pm    Finalist Awards Ceremony

All events are held in the Gymnasium.

Broadcast media interested in doing live telecasts may contact Karen Cohen (Connecticut Science Fair) at 860.228.5188 or 860.455.6459 (cell) or twstuff@aol.com or John Morgan (Quinnipiac University) at 203.582.5359 or john.morgan@quinnipiac.edu for arrangements.

For more information about schools participating in the 2012 fair, visit us on the web at http://www.ctsciencefair.org/information/schools.html

 

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