AU to host 64th annual Regional Science Day on March 21
ASHLAND, Ohio – More than 160 students from 16 area schools are expected to converge on the Ashland University campus Saturday, March 21, for the 64th annual Mohican District’s Regional Science Day. Sponsored by the Mohican District Junior Division of the Ohio Academy of Science, the event will be held at AU’s John C. Myers Convocation Center.
According to Jeff Weidenhamer, Ph.D., Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at AU and Science Day director, the students participating will represent high schools, junior high/ middle schools, fifth and sixth grades and homeschoolers in seven different counties: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Knox, Lorain, Medina, Richland and Wayne.
“Students do hands-on experiments, collect and analyze data and draw conclusions, rather than just reading and reporting what someone else has done. Many projects are original and creative,” stated Weidenhamer.
The number of registrations this year is up significantly from the approximate 125 students who participated last year. Weidenhamer praised the efforts of teachers in the district for the work that they are doing, noting “this event would not be a successful and rewarding experience for our local students without the hard work and commitment of science teachers and the support of their school districts in fostering increased science, technology, engineering and mathematics literacy.”
The public is invited to view the science projects this Saturday from 12:30-2 p.m. Registration for the day begins at 7:30 a.m., with judging to start at 9 a.m. Awards will be presented during a public ceremony at 2 p.m.
The top projects at the district level from students in grades 5-12 will be eligible to advance to the state competition, which will be conducted on Saturday, May 16, by the Ohio Academy of Sciences.
Weidenhamer said this year’s event will include 40-50 local judges and volunteers from education, industry, business and medical professions. "We cannot do this event without the help of all of our volunteers and the facilities and the support provided by Ashland University,” he said.
Weidenhamer thanked Jeff Steele, council president of the Mohican District Council, for his assistance in the administration of the science fair, as well as the council members and volunteers who work countless hours in a variety of capacities prior to and throughout the day for the countless hours they contribute to the success of the annual event.