Valparaiso University Science and Engineering Fair Finalists Head to Indianapolis

rot1Valparaiso University hosted the 65th annual Northwestern Indiana Science and Engineering Regional Fair on Feb. 24 in the Christopher Center Community Room.

Now, 15 student finalists are moving on to compete at “The Center” (Heritage Research Group Corporation Facility) in Indianapolis on March 24.

There were 50 students showing 45 projects in grades 6–12 from schools in Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke, Jasper, Pulaski and Newton counties who participated and competed for many prestigious awards and cash prizes, including scholarships to the University.

The top winners of the fair for 2017 were:
Annie Ostojic from Munster High School presenting “The Third Eye: A Technological Safety Feature that Enlarges the Visual Field of Petexrians for Safer Walking While Texting.”

Joseph Henning and Wyatt Hooper from Kankakee New Prairie High School presenting “Sensory Aod for the Visually Impaired-Ultrasonic Sensors (SAVIUS).”

Benjamin Puch from Saint John Evangelist School presenting “Ready for Lift-Off: Does Nose Cone Shape Affect the Altitude Performance of a Rocket?”

Abigail Burton from Grimmer Middle School presenting: “NA3C6H507 Anticoagulant-Stopping the Clot.”

These top winners as well as the second and third place winners in the senior division, and the second-place winners in the junior division, will go on to compete at the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair on March 24 in Indianapolis at “The Center” (Heritage Research Group Corporation Facility). The top senior division winners will also qualify for a chance to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh in May.

ArcelorMittal, a four-year platinum title sponsor, generously donated funds to cover operating expenses and award money for the Regional fair, plus travel expenses to Indianapolis for the 15 state finalists. In addition, many of their employees signed up to be volunteer judges.

Several other local businesses made significant contributions as well. These include Dwyer Instruments and Thermco Instrument Corporation, located in LaPorte. Also, the Ford family of Westfield, Indiana, continued to sponsor the Outstanding STEM Award, presented by Alan R. Ford, U.S. Navy, Ret.

The Northwestern Indiana Science and Engineering Fair is an annual regional fair hosted by Valparaiso University. Many faculty, staff and students volunteer as judges and present special campus tours of the science, engineering and technology buildings during the fair.

For a complete award listing and more information on the regional fair, please visit valpo.edu/nwisef or contact the fair director, Robert Clark, at robert.clark@valp.edu or fair coordinator, Marcie Guzman, at marcie.guzman@valpo.edu.