Big Headliners in Place for Montana Tech Growing Science Fair

02/28/2020

Montana Technological University and the Institute for Educational Opportunities is excited to host three significant events that inspire and reward students for their investigations in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The 29th annual Montana Tech Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be March 12th for middle school students and March 5th for high school students. The 5th Annual Intermountain Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (IJSHS), a regional research paper and symposium competition for high school students, will take place on March 6th. The high school fair is experiencing a 28% increase in school participation and a 35% increase in projects over last year.

Top awards, scholarships, and other monetary prizes make Montana Tech’s Science Fair the leader in the number of awards given in the state of Montana. In addition to great prizes, the regional, state, and international fairs significantly improves research, observation, and communication skills as they prepare for college and their future careers.

The IJSHS is a research paper and symposium competition for high school students from Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada conducting original scientific research. The IJSHS also features events such as a keynote speaker, lab tours, a welcome, and awards banquet for students and teachers.

This year’s keynote speaker for the high school science fair is Montana’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, Linda Rost. From Baker High School, Linda is one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. Dr. Virginia Edgcomb, an Associate Scientist in the Geology and Geophysics Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will provide the IJSHS keynote address. She works on investigations of eukaryotic microbial communities, symbioses between protists and prokaryotes, and the microbiology of oxygen-depleted marine water columns and sediments

With the increase in numbers, Montana Tech and the Institute for Educational Opportunities is looking for additional judges. For more information or to register as a judge, please go to https://www.institute.mtech.edu/science-fair/symposium-overview or call Tom Reget at 406-496-4700.