WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)—Schools from all over Texoma flocked to Region 9 this morning for the Red River Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Young scientists and engineers gathered this morning to attend the fair that hasn’t been held for over a decade.
Curtis Jackson takes us inside for a look at what this younger generation has been working on. From X-ray vision, to insects, even to meteor impact craters, Region 9 K12 Science Specialist Elizabeth Reynolds he said these young minds have been hard at work for weeks in preparation for this big day.
“There are two categories, science projects and engineering projects, so for science projects, you can choose biological sciences, physical sciences, etc.,” Reynolds said.
The students then design an experiment based on the type of science they choose, Reynolds said the engineering side of things is a little more practical.
“Engineering projects, they build something to solve a problem or accomplish a purpose,” Reynolds said.
Sixth through twelfth grade students are then judged on their work by a wide variety of judges.
“Region 9 is providing the space today and MSU, most of the judges, we also have judges from some local businesses, some from the grassroots, and some from some local organizations like Texas Master Naturalists,” Reynolds said.
Winners can then move on to the Texas State Science and Engineering Fair in March, but Reynolds said the fair is about more than picking a winner.
“The best thing for kids is that it allows younger students to see how well they are working some of these students get to see some of the more advanced and more professional looking displays they also have the opportunity to interact with scientists and engineers “Reynolds said.
And since this is the first trade show they’ve managed to hold in the last 10 years, Reynolds hopes this event will act as a catalyst for future trade shows.
“We would like this to grow to involve more children, some schools take thirty children and some schools take one, so we will take them all and hopefully they will have a great experience and go back and talk to the other students and teachers in their schools and make them excited about it,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said that an outstanding high school project has a chance to make it through to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas in May, and of course we here at KFDX want to wish all students the best of luck.
