Columbus State University will once again host the Columbus Regional Science and Engineering Fair for local middle school and high school students. The fair takes place on Jan. 29 at the Cunningham Center, with judging from 6 – 8 p.m. Projects can be viewed by the general public on Jan. 30 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.  

“CSU is proud to invite middle and high school students to campus to participate in this exciting event,” said Janet Jamieson, co-director of the fair on staff at CSU. “Middle school is a critical time to engage students in STEM. This fair does just that with unique and engaging activities that grow their interest and establish life-long research skills that they will carry with them through their academic careers.”

This year, approximately 110 middle and high school students from many Columbus schools will be participating. The fair is an opportunity for students to display the results of research projects that they have conducted during the semester. Students learn how to isolate problems and solve them within the framework of organized, logical thought and study.

Science fair projects cover a range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, medicine, and physics. Projects are judged by members of the CSU community and other interested individuals from the region.

“With nationally recognized scientists and educators serving as judges, CSU professors guarantee the integrity of the fair's main focus on scientific inquiry by evaluating the students' projects with diligence and providing feedback that empowers these students to continue down STEM educational and career paths,” said Michael Seckinger, ED.D., co-director of the Regional Science and Engineer Fair and MCSD Science Content Specialist.

Winners from the Columbus regional fair may go on to compete at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair in Athens from March 22 – 24, 2018.

The fair is sponsored by the CSU College of Letters and Sciences. Other event sponsors are the CSU Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Muscoggee County School District, Flint Energies, Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants, Inc., DJI Builders, Golden’s Cast Iron and Renal Associates, LLC.