On Saturday, March 16 the Orlando Science Center hosts the 15th annual Science Challenge. Presented by Bright House Networks, the Science Challenge is intended to encourage excellence in science education plus provide an intermediate event between the county science fairs and the state science fair. It operates under the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) rules. The participants are the first place winners in the physical science categories for middle and high schools in county science fairs for the nine surrounding counties (Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia).
The Science Center organizes this event every year to provide bright young minds with an opportunity to better prepare themselves for the state science fair. This event also offers the public a chance to view this area’s most innovative science projects from our community’s budding scientists. The Science Challenge takes place on multiple floors of the Science Center.
More than 100 competitors will showcase more than 90 projects and sharpen their presentation skills before a panel of judges that include current and retired engineers, educators and scientists. Competition categories include Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth and Space; Engineering; Environmental Science; Mathematics; and Physics. The judges review the assembled projects and interview the competitors from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The general public can review the entries on display from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and the winners are announced at 3:15 p.m. during a ceremony inside the Dr. Phillips CineDome. There are cash prizes awarded to each category winner ($200 for middle school winners and $400 for high school winners). Plus, the coveted “Best in Fair” prize winner receives a $4,000 scholarship and their teacher receives $1,000 for their school.
The general public can view the projects as part of general admission to Orlando Science Center, which is $27 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-11). Tickets also include access to the blockbuster exhibit Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination as well as all four floors of exhibits, unlimited educational films, one Hollywood feature film (“Wreck-It Ralph” or “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”) and live programs.
For more information, please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org.
