Hosting a Successful Science Fair to Boost Interest in Science

Science fairs are a popular way for junior and senior high school students (grades 7 through 12) to display science and engineering projects and participate in a competition for prizes and honors. In the state of Ohio students can advance through their school fairs to district science fairs and then on to the State Science Day in early May. The University of Cincinnati (UC) has hosted one of the Ohio district science fairs since 2005 - the official name is the UC Science and Engineering Expo (UCSEE). The University hosts between 300 and 400 student projects at this event. The day itself includes the training of the 200+ judges, the actual judging, activities for the students' families and friends, tours of the UC campus facilities, and culminates with a guest speaker and an awards ceremony. The students compete for prizes and scholarships worth approximately {\$}50k and over 100 of the UCSEE projects typically advance to participate in State Science Day. Additionally some top projects from the UCSEE are also sent directly to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The authors have been heavily involved in the planning, organization and production of the UCSEE since UC began offering it in 2005. Much of the planning and background work, as well as memories, from this major project will be discussed in this presentation.