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Community sponsors step up to continue Science Fair

or 19 years, the Copper Country ISD has hosted a Science Fair on the campus of Michigan Tech. During last year’s Science Fair, it was made known that the event could be ending because the state was in the process of eliminating math/science centers and moving to STEM centers.

At that time, the implications of this change were unknown. The local newspapers and radio stations did some nice coverage of the event last year and helped inform the public that the event could be the last Science Fair.

Fortunately, many people paid attention to this story, especially many departments at MTU. As a result, multiple departments at Michigan Tech contacted the CCISD and asked how they could help.

I am happy to report that through sponsorships from many departments and programs at Michigan Tech there will be a 20th annual Science Fair.

A lot of thanks goes to the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics, Department of Social Sciences, Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute, Ecosystem Science Center, Great Lakes Research Center, Pavlis Honors College, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, School of Technology, Sustainable Futures Institute, Office of the Provost, Great Lakes Research Center, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society and the Center for Science and Environmental Outreach.

The Western Upper Peninsula Science Fair and STEM Festival will take place on Thursday, April 12, at the Memorial Union Building on Michigan Tech’s campus from 4:15-8:30 pm.

Students in grades 4-8 will share projects that report on an investigation they conduct on any topic of interest, using the scientific process.

Students will receive a Student Planning Guide that provides information about the science fair, including worksheets that will lead students through the design and implementation of an investigation and the completion of a science fair project.

The design of a science fair project is an excellent way to engage students in the scientific and engineering practices of the new Michigan science standards. Approximately 60 science and engineering professionals from Michigan Tech, local schools, government agencies, and local businesses volunteer their time to judge the student projects.

Students who receive bronze, silver or gold ratings at the Western UP Science Fair will have the opportunity to display their projects at the Carnegie Museum in Houghton from April 26-May 12.

The Science Fair and STEM Festival is designed to be a family event. The public can view the student’s projects from 5-6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Memorial Union Building.

The STEM Festival will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. in commons area of the Memorial Union Building. Michigan Tech students and faculty will provide a variety of hands-on science and engineering activities for K-8 students and their families.

The Science Fair has been a big success over the years. Yearly participation is between 250 to 300 students from approximately 17 schools from throughout the Copper Country, as well as from Gogebic and Ontonagon counties.

The CCISD staff put in a lot of time organizing this big event. Many local teachers and schools value this experience and work with their students to prepare for the event.

The Western Upper Peninsula Science Fair has become an important community event in the Copper Country. It is because of the hard work of the CCISD staff, the dedication of local teachers and students, and the many volunteers from Michigan Tech and the community that the Science Fair will continue to be a successful and important educational opportunity for our students.

George Stockero Jr. is the superintendent of the Copper Country Intermediate School District.

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