Executive Director Attends North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair

Isabelle Chambers exhibit entitled “Engineering To Improve Vision via Photoactivation”. This exhibit shows her work in improving vision in the visionally impaired by directing a beam of light directly into the eye. This allows the person to see images and shapes as before they were unable to see nothing

The 69th annual North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair was held on April 5, 2019, at the University of North Dakota. The fair had over 160 seventh- through twelfth-grade students presenting their research projects in biology, chemistry, engineering, behavioral sciences, and mathematics, among others. Participating schools were from across the entire state.
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Students were divided into junior and senior divisions. There were special category, regional, and overall awards. These regional and overall awards determine who will progress to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Ariz.

To increase student participation, fees for the regional fair were paid by the North Dakota IDeA (Institutional Development Award) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which is administered by the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. The immediate goal is to stimulate the development of science, technology, engineering, and math education by supporting the ability of all third- through twelfth-grade students who wish to participate and compete in their regional fairs and the North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair. This will ultimately increase the number of North Dakota students entering the technical, educational, and health professional workforce pipeline in the state.

Richard Glynn, Executive Director of the Bioscience Association of North Dakota attended the fair and saw many exhibits posted by local students. Such as the Exhibit Isabelle Chambers exhibited entitled “Engineering To Improve Vision via Photoactivation”. This exhibit shows her work in improving vision in the visionally impaired by directing a beam of light directly into the eye. This allows the person to see images and shapes as before they were unable to see nothing.

The Exhibitors compete for a spot in the “Senior Division Sweepstakes. Senior Division Sweepstakes First Place winner receives a gold state plaque, a hooded sweatshirt, a $200 cash award from the Marcus J. Friskop Family, a $500 cash award from the University of North Dakota Admissions and Financial Aid, and a 1 Year $2500 Scholarship to the University of North Dakota and will advance to the ISEF in Phoenix Arizona and will exhibit his/her project. The second place (sweepstakes runner-up) winner receives a gold state plaque, a hooded sweatshirt, a $250 cash award from the University of North Division Admissions and Financial Aid, and a 1 Year $2000 Scholarship to the University of North Dakota and will advance to the ISEF in Phoenix Arizona and will exhibit his/her project. The third place (sweepstakes 2nd runner-up) winner receives a state plaque, a hooded sweatshirt, a $200 cash award from the University of North Dakota Admissions and Financial Aid, and a 1 Year $1000 Scholarship to the University of North Dakota and will advance to the ISEF in Phoenix Arizona and will exhibit his/her project.
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Once again the goal is to increase the number of North Dakota students entering the technical, educational, and health professional workforce pipeline in the state. A goal endorsed by the Association.

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