SUNY Potsdam is proud to host the inaugural Terra Northeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair (TNRSEF) on March 11 for students in grades 6-12. Students from Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties will compete, earn scholarships and win awards at the College’s Barrington Student Union from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. TNRSEF is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition for students in grades 9-12.
Some highlights of the event include a Q&A session with Astronaut Jeanette Epps from her training center in Russia, tours of SUNY Potsdam that include hands-on science challenges and a viewing of the upcoming PBS Segment, "The Crowd and The Cloud." There will also be a lecture by one of the members of the film’s production team.
Students will compete for prizes and the top three schools, who send the most students with the best overall student performances, will receive award money to develop their STEM departments/curriculum. The top school will be awarded $2,000. One student will be named the Ying Scholar and will receive $500. Two teachers will also receive award money for sending the most students to the fair. With one week to go, 135 students have already registered for the inaugural science fair.
“SUNY Potsdam is delighted and honored to host this event for the first time in the North Country. In previous years, North Country students have had to travel to Syracuse to participate in a fair affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Bringing the fair to Potsdam allows more local 6th-12th grade students to showcase their excellent STEM projects. The College sincerely hopes this opportunity will inspire and nurture the emergent scientific minds of our community,” said Jill Pearon, associate vice president for Academic Affairs.
Dr. Fehmi Damkaci, President of Terra Science and Education Foundation, explains that Terra organizes regional fairs to “provide students with experiences in science, life-long perspectives, and international contacts, as well as to increase schools’ ability to offer science programs and student support.” Terra Science and Education, also the organizer and sponsor of the GENIUS Olympiad, one of the largest environmentally-focused project competitions world-wide, has been promoting STEM education across New York State since 2011.
Terra Science and Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization promoting the improvement of K-16 education through educational programming, scholarships, research and public forums. For more information email info@terraed.org or visit the website at www.terraed.org
For opportunities to be a judge at the science fair please visit: http://www.yingtrsef.org/tnrsef-judge-registration/
For opportunities to be a volunteer at the science fair please visit:
http://www.yingtrsef.org/fair-volunteer-info/
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.