MINNESOTA STUDENTS SHOWCASE EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE

What: 2009 Minnesota Academy of Science State Science and Engineering Fair sponsored by Seagate Technology, 3M, Ecolab and Medtronic. Students showcase the state’s most advanced and interesting science projects.

When:	Sunday, March 29 5 – 6 p.m.	Opening ceremony; welcome by Karen Klinzing, assistant commissioner, academic excellence, Minnesota Department of Education and Alex Cirillo Jr., vice president, 3M Community Affairs and 3M Foundation.
	Monday, March 30 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Project judging takes place.
	4 – 5:30 p.m.	Science and Engineering Fair open to the public. Admission is free.
	7:30 – 9 p.m.	Grand Awards Ceremony. Top scoring projects are awarded. Keynote speaker: Chris Shaffer, WCCO-TV meteorologist.
	Tuesday, April 1 9 – 11:00 a.m.	Special Awards Ceremony. Additional industry and corporate-sponsored awards are presented. Keynote speaker: Richard Hudson, director of science production, Twin Cities Public Television.

Note: The media are invited all activities listed above.

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel

11 East Kellogg Boulevard

Minnesota Ballroom (Lower level)

St. Paul, Minn. 55101

Who: Approximately 450 Minnesota students in grades seven through 12 participate in the state’s annual science and engineering competition. These are the top 15 percent of students who participated in regional science fairs across the state. State Science and Engineering Fair awards are given to students with the highest scoring projects and research papers in 17 categories: Animal Sciences; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Biochemistry; Cellular and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Computers; Earth and Planetary Science; Energy and Transportation; Engineering-Materials and Bioengineering; Engineering-Electrical and Mechanical; Environmental Management; Environmental Science and Analysis; Mathematical Sciences; Medicine and Health; Microbiology; Physics and Astronomy; and Plant Sciences.

Interesting things you’ll learn at the fair:

1. Could your backyard compost pile provide enough energy to heat your house? See Project 1074

2. How much energy can be created by building wind turbines next to a highway? See Project 251E

3. Can Monarch butterflies serve as bioindicators of global climate change? See Project 1110

4. How does drinking cola affect bone loss? See Project 150

5. Are lefties the only ones in their right minds? See Project 123

6. What is the relationship between blood pressure and video games in older adults? See Project 264

About the Minnesota Academy of Science

The Minnesota Academy of Science encourages and facilitates excellence in science education and encourages active participation in scientific inquiry. Since 1873, the organization has been striving to foster students’ interest in science, promote quality scientific research, and recognize high achievement in science, education, engineering and technology. Additional information regarding MAS and it programs can be found at http://www.mnmas.org.

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