Young scientists to present at 53rd Upper East Tennessee Science Fair

More than 500 students from across the region are expected to participate in the 53rd annual Upper East Tennessee Science Fair on April 25 at East Tennessee State University, continuing a decades-long tradition of hands-on scientific exploration. The event, held in the Culp Center Ballroom, is supported by the Johnson City Kiwanis Club, ETSU and REVANCE, formerly known as Crown Laboratories, and features projects from students in grades four through eight. Dr. Gary Henson of ETSU's Department of Physics and Astronomy said the fair is in its 53rd year, noting the event began in the 1970s. Henson said the earliest fairs were held at the local mall before moving to ETSU after the Culp Center was built, reflecting the event's growth over time. The fair typically features several hundred exhibits spanning a wide range of topics, from biology and psychology to engineering and physical sciences. Students are encouraged to develop projects based on their own interests while following the scientific method. "We still emphasize for the individual student project to investigate something of their interest and try to follow the scientific method," Henson said. "They should focus on one specific question, take measurements, analyze data and then conclude what they've learned." That open-ended approach leads to a diverse array of projects each year. Henson said past winners have explored everything from how music affects plant growth to how different materials withstand pressure and even advanced concepts involving bacteria and light. "Engineering projects might look at what makes something stronger, while other students may study living things or even food science," Henson said. "Food science is all chemistry, whether it's testing ingredients in cookies or how different materials affect outcomes." Projects are judged by professional scientists, ETSU faculty and educators, with thousands of dollars in prize money awarded to students, teachers and schools. In addition to grand prizes sponsored by REVANCE, more than 25 awards are typically given, including honors from organizations such as the American Chemical Society, Center for Appalachian Studies and Service and the Tennessee Academy of Science. Beyond competition, Henson said the fair plays a key role in helping students build confidence and communication skills. "One big thing we point out is that students can be honest about the science they've done," he said. "They come up with an idea, go through the process, and then explain to an adult what they did and what it means." That interaction with judges is often one of the most valuable parts of the experience, he added, giving students the opportunity to clearly present their work and findings. "The idea is to encourage curiosity," Henson said. "It's not just about looking something up online, but actually exploring a topic, doing experiments and following it through to a conclusion." The event is open to the public, with projects on display from about 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to attend later in the morning to view exhibits while judging is underway. REVANCE, the major sponsor of the event, is a global company developing, producing and distributing industry-leading differentiated products across aesthetics, skincare and therapeutics. Richard McGowan of the Johnson City Kiwanis said REVANCE drives innovation beyond convention to offer treatment options for individuals across generations. He said they view the "investment in science, technology, engineering and math as critical to our future."