ENMU hosting regional science fair

Eastern New Mexico University in Portales will host the annual Southeastern New Mexico Regional Science Fair in the Campus Union Ballroom on Saturday.

The Science Fair is open to students from the 6th through the 12th grade.

Entries are being accepted for individual projects and team projects (Junior Division only). The entry fee is $12 per person for individual entries and each team member. Teams may consist of up to three members. A team project cannot be converted to an individual project or vice versa. Each team member should be fully involved in the project. Team projects should be more ambitious than individual projects.

Students can enter one of 17 categories: Animal Sciences, Behavioral and Social Sciences; Biochemistry (Senior Division only); Cellular and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth and Planetary Science; Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; Materials and Bioengineering; Energy and Transportation; Environmental Management; Environmental Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; Medicine and Health Sciences; Microbiology; Physics and Astronomy; and Plant Sciences.

All category winners, and as many 2nd place projects as possible (preference given to senior projects and those in larger categories), will be invited to exhibit at the New Mexico Science Fair held annually at New Mexico Tech University in Socorro, N.M.

Those who enter the Senior Division (grades 9-12) will be eligible to win the trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, compliments of ENMU, held annually in a different city in the United States.

Some of the prizes include: $50 cash award for a student, a $100 cash award for a teacher, calculator, science book, camera, certificates, medallions, etc.

Judges are needed. They must be at least 21 and have some science or mathematics background. A bachelor's degree or 5-plus years of experience are needed to judge the Senior Division.

The judging schedule begins at 8 a.m. with an orientation meeting and a morning session of judging exhibits. Before lunch, judges will interview the students at their exhibits, then a complimentary lunch will be provided. Judging duties will conclude around 2 p.m.

Sponsors are welcomed. Individuals and businesses may provide an award of their choosing for winners in any category, teachers or to their schools. Sponsors may choose a particular category (e.g. Junior Chemistry) or the finalists attending the International Science and Engineering Fair. Sponsors will receive recognition.

If donating cash, make the check payable to the ENMU Foundation and note on the check that it is for the Science Fair award and send to: Science Fair Office, ENMU-#18, Portales, NM 88130.

To volunteer or for more information, contact the Science Fair Secretary at 575-562-2309 or Ken Cradock at 575-562-2078.

The Science Fair web site is at http://www.enmu.edu/sciencefair.