WISE sponsors regional science fair

This is the time of year that WISE Director Cinda-Sue Davis dons an additional hat as she directs the regional Southeast Michigan Science Fair (SEMSF). The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program is a co-sponsor of the fair, which is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

“Doing a hands-on science fair project is an excellent way to get students—both boys and girls—interested in science and engineering,” says Davis. “When we talk to faculty, researchers, scientists and physicians about science fair, so many of them get very excited and tell us about their own science fair projects. There is also preliminary NSF research that shows participation in a middle school science fair to be the most accurate predictor of a student’s likelihood of pursing science and engineering degrees beyond high school.”

Current UM sophomore and former SEMSF finalist Sarah Worsham agrees with Davis. “I know I would not be at the University of Michigan. I would not be majoring in geology. I would not being doing what I’m doing if I had not done that first science fair project in 6th grade. That project let to my next project, and to my water quality research.”

Last summer Worsham spent time at UM’s Camp Davis just south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Camp Davis hosts courses in geology, environmental science and the humanities. Sara also was a member of the WISE Residential Program her freshman year.

“SEMSF is a terrific way to serve the interests of WISE, while serving the community as well,” says Davis. “Besides, it’s just a lot of fun.”

In addition to running the fair, the WISE program coordinates a science fair mentoring program at Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor. Through the program 40 UM undergraduate and graduate student volunteers work one-on-one with Scarlett students, once a week over a 4-week period on science fair projects. Ron Kamiskis, Scareltt Science Fair coordinator and science teacher, says this program is the most useful outreach program he has ever been involved with in 20 years of teaching.

The SEMSF, which now includes grades 6 – 12, is co-sponsored by Washtenaw Community College and Pfizer, with donations from corporate and individual sponsors. “All of our nearly 500 participants receive a certificate of recognition, and a great many of our participants receive prizes, including cash awards,” says Davis. In addition to prizes, SEMSF sends fair finalists and their chaperones to the Intel International Fair. Last year the fair was in Pheonix, Arizona and this year it will be Indianapolis, Indiana.

Registration is still open at www.wccnet.edu/events/sciencefair/. The fair is limited to students living in Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties. If you are interested in judging for the fair, please contact csdavis@umich.edu.

February 2006 eNews