News Release

College co-sponsors Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair

January 10, 2008

The best and brightest area junior high and high school scientists, mathematicians, and engineers will gather at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in downtown Harrisburg for the 51st annual Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair Feb. 13 to 16.

Penn State Harrisburg is joining other area colleges and universities, the Whitaker Center, and the Harrisburg Patriot-News as a co-sponsor.

The longstanding area leader in engineering and technology education, Penn State Harrisburg offers graduate and undergraduate programs in the dynamic fields of information systems, information sciences and technology, engineering, engineering technology, mathematics, computer science, and science. More than 6,000 Penn State Harrisburg graduates hold technology-related degrees and those alumni use their experience daily to provide leadership in Central Pennsylvania workplaces. The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology’s programs in engineering and technology are fully accredited by ABET.

CASEF is the central Pennsylvania regional program affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair. It encourages students to creatively explore and investigate their world through hands–on scientific research.

Each year, more than 300 aspiring local scientists, mathematicians and engineers, grades seven through 12, exhibit their projects in one of 15 categories. After a two-day competition, two senior high students are chosen as grand champions to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Last year, more than 1,200 projects, representing 45 nations were exhibited in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Student delegates vied for scholarships, internships and cash awards valued at more than $3 million. The international competition will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2008.

President of the CASEF Board of Directors Tricia Britton, says "The talent exhibited by young scientists and engineers is impressive. The Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair is a vehicle where students can demonstrate how they solved a problem or answered a question using scientific methods. Learning takes place during this process that touches all subject areas. Students develop competency and mastery of language arts skills, math skills, and technology skills."

More information on the CASEF, participating, or becoming a mentor is found online.