CENTRAL – The Southern Wesleyan University Science Division will host the South Carolina Region 1 Science Fair on March 11 on the Central campus.

The event is for all of South Carolina Region 1, which includes students from Anderson, Abbeville, Laurens, Greenville, Greenwood, Oconee and Pickens counties.

According to Staci Johnson, assistant professor of biology at SWU and coordinator of the science fair, the event has expanded significantly since its beginnings when it served Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. This will be the ninth science fair to be hosted at Southern Wesleyan’s Central campus.

As the regional science fair extends its reach, Johnson noted that financial support from area businesses is needed, as well as volunteers for the day of the event.

“We want to serve all students in grades 3 through 12 – private, public, and home school and from all socio-economic backgrounds,” Johnson said.

Science fairs provide an opportunity for students in grades 3 through 12 who are interested in science and technology to pursue their personal areas of interest and to present their research visually in a public competitive forum. A goal of the Regional Science Fair is to create enthusiasm in science and technology through project-based inquiry. The fair also gives area students the chance to compete for cash awards and other prizes.

The registration deadline for students participating in the South Carolina Region 1 Science Fair is Feb. 19.

To sponsor, volunteer or get further details, contact Johnson at sjohnson@swu.edu or call (864) 644-5256. Information about the Regional Science Fair is also available online at swu.edu/sciencefair.

This story provided by Southern Wesleyan University.