Los Angeles – More than 900 of the state’s top middle and high school students will convene for the final round of competition in the California State Science Fair, May 23-24, 2005 at the California Science Center in Exposition Park. Projects with thought-provoking titles and highly visual displays will be on view as young scientists present their findings and await the results.

Students from around the state must first qualify at the regional or county level before advancing to the State Science Fair. The projects span 19 categories – from aerodynamics/ hydrodynamics to zoology – and will be judged by a volunteer pool of over 300 scientists and engineers from private industry and higher education. Winners will take home a combined total of $40,000 in cash prizes provided by THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation and Raytheon, and students chosen for special recognition awards may receive a scholarship or cash prize funded by private organizations and corporations.

Top honors will go to Student of the Year (senior division only), and the Dr. and Mrs. Arnold O. Beckman 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. The selection is determined by a panel representing the California Science Teachers Association, the California Science Center, THE MUSES and educators.

In addition to the awards program, students who participate in the fair gain other benefits. 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 clever project titles and eye-catching graphic displays, and interviewing skills to explain their research to Science Fair judges.

Judging will take place Tuesday, May 24 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the California Science Center. The results will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena from 5-6:30 pm.

The California Science Center is located at 700 State Drive in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Parking is $6 per car in the visitor lot at Coliseum/39th and Figueroa Street. The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena is located at 3939 South Figueroa.

Reporter / Editor / Producer Note:
Reporters interested in viewing projects with students on-hand for interviews should plan to visit Tuesday, May 24 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm only. Please check in at the Information Desk located inside the Science Center. After 12:30 pm, students will be dismissed and after 3:30 pm, the projects will be dismantled. For general information, please visit www.californiasciencecenter.org/CSSF/. Names of the winners will be posted on this site May 24 after 8 p.m. Reporters may also contact the Communications Department at (213) 744-7446 for information on winners from their area beginning May 25.