Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair returns to Livermore March 30 - April 2

LIVERMORE, Calif. — The best and brightest student scientists and engineers will showcase their work when the 14th annual Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair, sponsored by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, returns March 30–April 2, to the Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore.

Each year the fair motivates students to apply creativity and critical thought to solve science, engineering and math problems; encourages the exchange of knowledge and ideas; and recognizes student achievement.

This year’s participants include 304 students from grades 7-12 attending public, private or parochial schools in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Sunol. A total of 197 projects will be presented; students may work in teams.

This year’s projects cover a wide range of topics, from decontaminating a drinking water system to developing low-cost digital X-ray imaging.

Science projects are judged on a range of criteria that represent standards of research held by the scientific community. Local scientists and engineers serve as judges, with more than 80 participating from the Lab.

Research categories cover a spectrum of science and include: behavioral and bioscience, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, medicine and health, microbiology, physics and zoology.

Judging will take place on Wednesday, March 31, with an awards ceremony scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The public may view the exhibition of student projects at the Robert Livermore Community Center on Thursday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge for admission.

The fair is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest pre-college celebration of science. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together more than 1,400 students from more than 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips, and the grand prize: a $50,000 college scholarship.

Each year Senior Division (9-12th grade) Sweepstakes winners of the Tri-Valley fair have gone on to win top honors at Intel ISEF.

This year, Intel ISEF will be presented by Agilent Technologies May 9-14, in San Jose, Calif.

The Junior Division winners are eligible to compete at the California State Science Fair.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a national security laboratory that develops science and engineering technology and provides innovative solutions to our nation's most important challenges. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.