Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair prepares for 65th year in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — This week, high school students from across Eastern Iowa will compete in a round leading up to the international level for student science and engineering projects.

The Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair (EISEF), an annual competition for grades sixth to 12th, will hold its 65th fair on Saturday, March 16.

The event, a Regional Fair affiliate of the International Science and Engineering Fair administered by the Society for Science & the Public, draws about 275 students each year in two divisions. Middle school students in sixth through eighth grades compete in the Junior Division, while high school students in grades in ninth through 12th can advance through the Senior Division.

A few of the winning projects in the Senior Division will advance to the International Fair this May in Los Angeles, where they’ll compete for the top spot against thousands of students from dozens of other countries.

“It’s The Olympics of science fairs,” said Jeff Kuehl, president of the EISEF board.

With a mission of encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the EISEF supports local teachers implementing inquiry-based education by giving them a venue for students to present their research. During the fair, students interact with members of business and academia communities, as well as the general public, to describe and defend their project’s merits.

Their participation helps increase their understanding of scientific inquiry, develop the abilities to problem solve, enhance communication skills and learn about the opportunities available in fields that can captivate their interest in a lifelong career.

“What we’re doing is providing a service to teachers out there. The teachers are really the heroes in my eyes,” said Kuehl. “They’re the ones who’ve gotten kids interested in doing the research. This is something they’ll learn to do and something that’s going to stick with them.”

Many EISEF alumni have gone on to earn advanced degrees in scientific fields. Some, like alum Thomas Cech, have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Others, like Iowa City student Dasia Taylor, have gone on to make headlines with their inventions.

With about 140 judges, students will be judged on multiple criterion, including innovation, originality, how they demonstrate research methods and goals, the quality of their hypothesis and design, and presentation. Students can compete individually or in teams of up to three, and projects are scored as an average among multiple judges, who give feedback on how to improve projects.

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Projects can be simple, but often go into the complex depths of physical sciences, chemistry and science with agricultural applications like ecology, water quality and alternative fuels.

Kuehl, who has been volunteering with EISEF since 1993, said the biggest need for the fair is often volunteer judges.

But the fair also is a great opportunity for the public to interact with students and get inside the heads of the next generation of scientists, engineers and technology leaders.

“It’s a great chance for the public to drop by. It’s a chance for students to not only answer our questions, but other folks’ questions too,” Kuehl said. “It’s great practice for them.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.