North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair moves online
After cancelling the 2020 event, organizers of the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair moved the massive event online, while preserving as much of the "in-person" experience as possible.
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101 high school students from across North Carolina presented their work at the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair (NCSEF) on Saturday. Each earned their spot after winning their category at one of the nine regional fairs in February. These are the best of the best of the more than 1600 students that compete in local fairs.
Brevard High School was well represented, particularly in biological and environmental science categories, sending nine project. Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw sent five projects across several categories while their neighbors to the north at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte sent four engineering and technology projects. The North Carolina School of Science and Math students compete in their own regional level fair before they sent 16 projects onto the state level.
A different experience made as normal as possible
The 2020 fair was canceled as global pandemic shut down schools across the state.
"There wasn't time to figure out virtual instruction on this scale." said Judy Day, NCSEF director. "We always think about students that don't have access to broadband. Libraries and coffee shops that would have served as hotspots for students quickly closed down last year", she added.
NCSEF organizers received grants to supply some participants and their school districts with hotspots to enable them to participate. One student presented her work from a wifi equipped county school bus. Organizers also planned for technology problems, adding slots at the end of the day to give students who encountered technology problems the chance to talk with judges.
"The materials students had to prepare were completely different" said Day, "but there were some positives." Judges normally get their first look at projects, their posters and other materials on the day of the fair. "Judges liked being able to review the materials in greater detail ahead of time."
Projects as varied as the students that presented them
Some students looked to solve problems on Mars.
Others looked to solve problems closer to home, especially those brought to light in the past year.
Twelve projects will also be submitted to go on to compete in early May at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which will also be conducted online.
Plans are already underway to return the fair to the campus of NC State in 2022.
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