February 22, 2006 News Media Release

3,600 Students Compete in
Largest Science Fair in Texas

Almost 3,600 students from 157 Central Texas schools (13 school districts) will compete this week in the Austin Energy Regional Science Festival – the largest of 18 regional science fairs in Texas.

The event will be held at the Palmer Events Center Thursday, February 23 for junior (middle school) and senior high students -- and Saturday, February 25 for elementary students.

Junior and senior high entries have already won at their respective school science fairs and are competing to advance to State. The top three projects in each of 15 categories will advance to the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair in San Antonio next month. “Best of Fair” senior projects from this Regional advance to the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair scheduled for May in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Last year, a “Best of Fair” team from LBJ High School in Austin won 4th place and a cash prize at International in the Team Math category. A Vista Ridge High student from the Leander Independent School District won second place and a cash award in the Optics and Photonics category. Entries to International come from all 50 states and 44 countries.

Junior and Senior projects will be on display and open to the public from 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm this Thursday, February 23. The award ceremony for Juniors/Seniors will begin at 7 pm. Elementary projects will be on display and open to the public Saturday, February 25th from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The Elementary Division award ceremony begins at 3:00 pm. The Regional also provides informational and science exhibits and demonstrations for elementary students on Saturday from 8:30 am to 2 pm.

All events and parking (Palmer garage) are free.

Media: Project viewing, judging and student interviews are available anytime Thursday and Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

-end-

For more information, contact Ed Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000