SRU hosts science event

The top prizes are $12,000 scholarships to Slippery Rock University.

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — More than 500 junior high and high school scientists are gathered on the Slippery Rock University campus today to demonstrate their understanding of science and compete for scholarships.

The pupils are taking part in a day-long Region IX meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.

The science academy, in its 51st year, has conducted its annual science competition at Slippery Rock for the past 11 years. The event offers more than $24,000 in scholarships to the university.

Competitors were to meet for an orientation session at 12:45 p.m. in the University Union, then disperse to more than 60 classrooms across the campus for the competition.

“It is always very gratifying for me to see more than 500 junior high and senior high students present the results of their own science research projects,” said William Sigmund, professor of biology and event coordinator. The region cited Sigmund’s dedication to the program last year by creating a $200 annual scholarship for a Slippery Rock biology student in his name.

Competing students will be eligible for two, $12,000 scholarships to the university. One is offered to the top senior, the other to the top junior.

In addition, $100 awards will be presented to the top senior and the top junior by Sigma XI, the Slippery Rock chapter of the national scientific research society. The mathematics department will present $100 awards in the same categories for mathematics-related presentations, and the biology department will offer $100 awards for research involving a biological field.

Top junior and senior presenters in a number of other science disciplines will receive cash awards or gift certificates from the Region IX committee and other program sponsors.

Competition judges include college professors, high school teachers, leaders in business and medical professionals as well as college students. Each three-judge panel will spend eight to 10 minutes with the competing students, before issuing their rating.

Students receiving “First Place” honors are eligible to attend the state competition in May.