Scenes From The UC Science And Engineering Expo

It was another bustling day April 2 on MainStreet, as UC’s first Science and Engineering Expo for students representing Ohio’s southwest district was held in Tangeman University Center.

More than 250 students representing 7-12 grades were participating in individual and team exhibits. Competitors came from 32 schools across a five-county area – Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont and Preble. A small number of students outside the district who were not able to attend their own district fairs also competed at UC.

In addition to those students, hundreds of parents, family members and friends turned out to support the young scientists and to explore the educational entertainment that the science fair held for families.

“Dad, where are you?”

“Right here,” Steve Johnson called behind his six-year-old son, Ben. As Ben’s brother, Wade, a freshman at McNicholas High School, was speaking with the judges about his science project during the morning judging, his father, mother Nancy and younger brother were watching the animal demonstrations provided by the Cincinnati Zoo in the TUC Atrium.

“Ben liked the python,” Steve said, adding that they also got to see a hedgehog, armadillo and skunk. “This is our first science fair at the district level,” he said. “It has been an enjoyable experience.”

The competition held $12,000 in awards for the top entries, plus registration for the statewide competition in May. The 94 projects that received superior ratings are eligible for the Ohio Academy of Science/State Science Day, coming up on May 7 at The Ohio State University. The University of Cincinnati provided the $45 registration fee for those who were planning to compete on the state level.

Victoria Schroeder was another supporter who had an uplifting experience in the TUC Atrium, as she took a ride aboard the hovercraft provided by the Lyondell Chemical Company. “It vibrates, makes a loud noise and then it pulls you off the ground,” said the 11-year-old, who was attending the fair with Devon Burton, representing Waynesville Middle School in the judging session.

Luke Grimes of Fairfield Middle School said this was his first visit to a district science fair. His project, “Soybeans: Nature or Technology,” took away a superior rating, making him eligible to compete at next month’s Ohio Academy of Science/State Science Day. His poster project explored whether plants would grow out of season in technology-enhanced conditions.

Using soybeans as an example, Luke discovered that with technology, his plants flourished better than going strictly with nature, which he tested using unfertilized soil from his dad’s backyard garden.

 “I bought a ski hat,” said one parent below in the TUC Atrium, as she signaled another science fair parent holding a souvenir bag from the UC Bookstore. An unusually wet and cold spring day obviously inspired the purchase. Still, they stepped outside to get to the Old Chemistry Building, to take in UC Chemistry Research Associate Rudy Thomas’ demonstration of chemical reactions. “We saw a chemistry demonstration and they exploded some balloons. This has been really nice.” 

After judging wrapped and the results were tallied, the afternoon awards ceremony was held in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. “On behalf of the Ohio Academy of Science and the University of Cincinnati, welcome to the Science and Engineering Expo, the District 11 science fair,” said Tom Cruse, chair of the science fair steering committee and associate provost for academic facility planning.

Cruse was joined by Karen Gould, dean of the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, with opening remarks from UC President Nancy L. Zimpher and Provost Anthony J. Perzigian. President Zimpher also announced the students who were offered the three $500 scholarships to the University of Cincinnati for Outstanding Achievement and Innovation in a Project: Zachary Tong of Mason High School, Stephanie Meyer of Ursuline Academy and Drew Lagergren of Ursuline Academy.

Cruse closed the ceremony with the announcement that UC’s second Science and Engineering Expo will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2006.