Young Scientists From Across the State Will Compete for Top Honors at the 60th California State Science Fair

Fair Showcasing Student Innovation Hosted by the California Science Center

LOS ANGELES, April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 900 of the state's top middle and senior high school students will convene for the final round of competition in the 60th annual California State Science Fair, May 2-3, 2011, at the California Science Center in Exposition Park. Winners will take home a combined total of more than $50,000 in cash prizes. The 2011 California State Science Fair is receiving support from THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation, Time Warner Cable, and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. Dr. Gary Michelson, an orthopedic surgeon and inventor specializing in spinal surgery who will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame this year, will serve as the keynote speaker.

Students representing 32 regions/counties from around the state must first qualify at the regional or county level before advancing to the State Science Fair. The projects span 22 categories – from aerodynamics/hydrodynamics to zoology – in two age divisions and will be judged by a volunteer pool of over 300 scientists and engineers from private industry and higher education. In addition to the winners in each category, top honors will go to Student of the Year (senior division only), and Project of the Year (in both junior and senior divisions). Science teachers, nominated by middle and high school students, will also compete for Science Teacher of the Year. Additional special and recognition awards will be made to projects by scientific and engineering organizations.

This year's event introduces two new affiliations with an opportunity for students to engage in additional competition beyond the state level. The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is a global science competition for students in grades 9-12 from nearly 60 countries. Five senior division projects will be qualified to participate in the event, which also takes place in Los Angeles. The affiliation with ISEF is made possible with support from Intel Corporation. The Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) is a national competition for students in grades 6-8 whose final round will take place in Washington, D. C.  All 1st and 2nd place winners from the state level will automatically qualify for the contest.

Besides the recognition and prize money, participating in the fair provides additional benefits for students. The process gives them the opportunity to develop a unique set of abilities, such as using scientific methodology to reach a conclusion, marketing techniques to create eye-catching graphic displays, and communication skills to explain their research to Science Fair judges.

The public is welcome to see this year's slate of innovative projects during the public viewing period on Monday, May 2, from 12:00-4:00 PM. Admission is free.

The fair culminates with two award ceremonies Tuesday, May 3, in the Science Center's Wallis Annenberg Building: The Junior Division ceremony will take place from 4:30-5:30 PM, followed by the Senior Division ceremony from 6:00-7:00 PM.

The California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Parking is $8.00 per car in the visitor lot at Figueroa and 39th/Exposition Park Drive.

Media Contact:
Paula Wagner | (213) 744-2144
[email protected]

SOURCE California Science Center