May 19 - 20, 2008
LOS ANGELES, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Northrop Grumman Foundation has announced a grant of $100,000 to the 57th annual California State Science Fair. The gift distinguishes the Northrop Grumman Foundation as the Presenting Benefactor of the Science Fair, hosted by the California Science Center, scheduled to take place at the California Science Center on May 19 and 20, 2008.
California Science Center President and CEO, Jeffrey Rudolph notes, "We appreciate this grant from the Northrop Grumman Foundation which ensures that the Science Fair will continue to provide students with a platform for excellence in the exploration of scientific methodology. The Science Fair recognizes these students by shedding light on their extraordinary efforts and supports our mission of inspiring science learning."
"A mastery of science and technology plays an ever more important role in the success of our youth," says Sandra Evers-Manly, President of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. "The State Science Fair has been motivating the future scientists, engineers and innovators of tomorrow for many years and it is our pleasure to serve as the 2008 Fair's Presenting Benefactor."
Projects presented at the California State Science Fair transcend the ubiquitous garden-variety of exploding volcano experiments with their static cardboard displays. In addition to presenting their projects, the participating 900 students must also demonstrate their ability to work in teams, conduct extensive research and endure rigorous personal interviews. Having dutifully followed scientific methodology and carefully chronicled their work, they then painstakingly prepare and present their projects for judging.
The students, who hail from throughout California, are familiar with this process since they must first qualify at the regional or county level before advancing to the State Science Fair. The projects span 20 categories -- from aerodynamics/hydrodynamics to zoology -- and will be judged by a volunteer pool of over 350 scientists and engineers from private industry and higher education. In addition to the winners in each category, top honors will go to Student of the Year (senior only), and Project of the Year (in both junior and senior high divisions). Science teachers, nominated by junior and senior high school students, will also compete for Science Teacher of the Year. The selection is determined by a panel representing the California Science Teachers Association, the California Science Center, THE MUSES and educators.
About the California Science Center
The California Science Center's mission is as follows: "We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people's lives."
The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive. The Science Center is open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm. More information is available at http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/.
CONTACT: Shell Amega of the California Science Center, +1-213-744-7446, samega@cscmail.org
California Science Center
