Judges Training Session Scheduled To Prepare For UC Science Fair

The University of Cincinnati is holding a training session for the local and UC educators who plan to judge student projects at UC’s Southwest District Science and Engineering Expo. Two representatives of the Ohio Academy of Science will lead a session to prepare the judges at a special training and discussion program from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in Room 100 of the Science and Allied Health Building at Raymond Walters College Light refreshments will be provided. If UC is closed on that date due to inclement weather, an alternative date for the training is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Feb. 3 at the same location.

Lynn Elfner, Chief Executive Officer for the State Science Day Ohio Academy of Science (OAS), and Joanne Zinser Mann, the OAS Judges Certification Director, will cover information including criteria for judging, how to assign ratings, the components of the student projects and judging ethics. The session will be recorded and made available to judges who may not be able to attend the Jan. 27 program.

UC is recruiting community engineers and scientists, UC faculty and graduate students in science-related fields, and educators with science expertise that can participate in the science fair. Students in 7-12 grades representing five Ohio counties – Hamilton, Clermont, Warren, Butler and Preble counties – who get top recognition at their school science fairs can compete at UC for awards and prize money. The science fair is open to a total of 500 student and team-based exhibits. More than 1,000 people are expected on UC’s campus for the April 2 competition.

The top 70 projects that are awarded at UC can compete at the Ohio Academy of Science/State Science Day competition, which will be held at Ohio State University on May 7, 2005. The University of Cincinnati is the only site in which top student projects representing southwestern Ohio will qualify for the state competition.

To volunteer to become a judge, register through the Southwest District Science and Engineering Expo Web site at www.uc.edu/sciencefair. To join the Jan. 27 training session for the judges, contact Thomas Cruse, associate provost, at 513-556-2985 or e-mail thomas.cruse@uc.edu. RSVP by Jan. 24.