High school science symposium marks 15th year

Submitted by Gary Laursen
Phone: (907) 474-6295
02/27/04

Future scientists from high schools around the state will conduct research and present their findings March 6-7, 2004 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dozens of high school students in grades 9-12 will participate in the Alaska Statewide High School Science Symposium, which is now in its 15th year.

"Students have the opportunity to work with some of the best scientists in their field of interest, conduct valid research experiments and present their results in a scientific setting," said program Director Gary Laursen, professor and senior research scientist with UAF’s Institute of Arctic Biology. "The experience is as close to participating in an actual academic science symposium as you can possibly get."

The symposium helps students develop their science writing and oral presentation skills. Students submit written summaries of their projects for technical review and revision and then present to separate panels of judges in one of seven categories. From a group of 14 finalists, five young Alaskans will be selected to represent the state at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, for which Laursen serves as a national director. The national symposium takes place April 28-May 2 in Hunt Valley, Md. The top three state presenters receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships respectively and two will compete nationally for other scholarship money. Three additional student finalists will be selected to attend the national meeting and the top seven Alaska participants receive a one-year tuition scholarship to UAF.

Past participants have been published in scientific journals, gone on to work toward advanced science degrees and one has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. The program is affiliated with the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

CONTACT: Gary Laursen, symposium director at (907) 474-6295 or e-mail ffgal@uaf.edu.