Attention all Middle and High School Teachers: Please encourage and promote your students in conducting authentic research and projects for the Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair.
KY-SEF's mission is "to expand educational opportunities for all middle school and high school students, and to enhance the visibility and importance of science and engineering in Kentucky, by providing annual statewide competitions that support, encourage, and recognize student excellence in science and engineering research."
High school finalists in the KY-SEF competition will represent Kentucky in the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF). At this "world's largest pre-college celebration of science, " over 1200 students from around the world compete for $3 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment and scientific trips.
Students compete in 15 categories: Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Gerontology, Mathematics, Medicine and Health, Microbiology, Physics, Zoology, and Team Projects.
Awards will include university and private scholarships, as well as special awards presented by KY-SEF sponsor corporations and organizations.
The KY-SEF will take place on a Friday and Saturday. Entertaining and enriching activities are planned for the students and their teachers and families.
Conducting science projects for the KY-SEF can provide a natural opportunity to integrate the scientific inquiry process with Kentucky's Learning Goals. Student participants:
• Develop problem solving, creative, critical thinking, and relational skills;
• Develop abilities to apply core concepts and principles to novel situations;
• Use what they know to acquire new knowledge, develop new skills, and interpret new experiences.
• Build communication skills through verbal, visual, and interpretive presentations;
• Enhance self-sufficiency and self-confidence as they learn and receive validation of their mastery over important science understandings.
Participation also advances science skills as recommended in the National Science Education Standards!
For more information, contact KY-SEF Co-Directors:
Dr. Robert Creek (859) 623-6646 rcreek@chpl.net or
Kim Alexander (859) 269-6432/ (859) 622-2902 Kimberly.Alexander@eku.edu