UC hosts 3D Printer Showcase alongside the 75th annual OAS Regional Science Day
The events were presented by the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative
The University of Cincinnati this month hosted the 75th annual Regional Science Day, a presentation of the Ohio Academy of Science, in the Tangeman University Center.
The academy is a membership-based and volunteer-driven nonprofit organization with a goal to “foster curiosity, discovery and innovation to unite all who value education, science, engineering, technology or their applications to benefit society.”
Students show off their projects at UC during the science day competition. Photo/Greg Humbert/CECH Marketing
Regional Science Day is a state-wide exhibition opportunity that invites winners from local science day competitions to present research for evaluation. The competition hands out $400,000 in scholarships and awards based on quality of research and communication skills. In 2025, 614 students from 187 schools are competing state-wide.
UC serves as a regional site for the state-wide competition, with events presented by Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative in the UC Center for Youth Futures, housed within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology.
“The Regional Science Day is a competition program sponsored by The Ohio Academy of Science,” explains Sean Kelley, the collaborative's program director. “Students in grades 5 through 12 from counties across the region — Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Hamilton, Highland and Warren — display their science projects for judges. Winners can move on to state and a higher level of competition.”
Students competed in the Ohio Academy of Science's regional science day at UC. Photo/Greg Humbert/CECH Marketing
This year’s Regional Science Day was made special by the co-presentation of UC’s 3D Printers Showcase, an event put on by the 3D Printers Club program, which is sponsored by GCSC and CYF. Celebrating its 10th year, the 3D Printers Club program supports school-based clubs with a 10-week curriculum to reinforce STEM principles by engaging students to design and produce solutions to real-world problems using 3D printers.
The showcase invited clubs from three states to display their learnings and accomplishments from participation in the program. The event also gave students an opportunity to visit booths of other clubs and interact with special visitors. Exhibitors were on hand as well, showcasing future opportunities for students as they continue with 3D printing.
While both annual events provide important ways to advance STEM interest and skills with local youths, Kelley points out that this year’s co-presentation of the two in the joint space of the Tangeman University Center presented a noteworthy opportunity. “The combination of the Regional Science Day and 3d Printers Club Showcase brings together two unique groups of students in an effort to foster learning from each other.” In total, almost 350 students from 48 schools in 10 regional counties participated in the events, with more than 250 judges, parents and community partners joining them.
Featured image at top: A student presenter at the 2025 Regional Science Day stands in discussion with a booth visitor. Photo/Greg Humbert/CECH Marketing
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