West Liberty University will hold its annual Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Friday and Saturday, March 7 – 8, 2014. Open to grades 6 – 12, it is held in Arnett Hall.

“The West Liberty science fair is the largest in the region and attracts hundreds of young students excited about scientific discovery,” said Dr. Zachary Loughman, assistant professor of biology and coordinator of the fair, which is funded by J.B. Chamber Foundation and the Wheeling Civitan Club.

Judging will take place on Friday, March 7 and an awards banquet will follow on Saturday, March 8.

Providing a boost for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in the Mountain State, the science and mathematics competition is open to area students in grades 6 – 12 who live in Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio and Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia.

The fair’s purpose is to encourage young people to develop an active interest in science and engineering and recognize quality scientific investigation in middle and high schools. Participants will compete for category awards, special awards, and an opportunity to go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of the Society for Science and the Public in Phoenix, Ariz.

WLU’s Senior Division Grand Prize winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to the Intel Fair where they will compete for $1.4 million in scholarships and cash prizes. A second regional competitor will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the Intel Fair as an observer.

Exhibition set-up will begin at 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 7. Contestants also will enjoy a pizza party and admissions events during the competition. The exhibits will be open to the general public from noon – 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, followed by the awards banquet.

For additional information about the fair, please contact Loughman at 304-336-8923, zloughman@westliberty.edu.