For the first time, students from Lebanon County will be invited to compete in the North Museum’s 73rd Science and Engineering Fair.
The competition, which historically has been open only to students from the public, private, charter, online and home schools in Lancaster County, has expanded its scope to encompass the entire Lancaster-Lebanon area.
The fair, which is open to students in grades 6 through 12, will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Millersville University.
Registration for the science and engineering fair is free, with a deadline in October 2024.
“North Museum’s CEO Andrea Rush is a Lebanon County native and a Cedar Crest High School graduate. Through our connections, we are both professionally and personally excited to bring this STEM education opportunity to Lebanon County,” said Scott Downs, North Museum’s director of development and strategic partnerships , who is also a former Lebanon County resident and past publisher of the Lebanon Daily News.
“As a leader in STEM education and advocacy, the North Museum believes that every 6th through 12th grade student in the IU-13 region deserves an opportunity to compete. Raising student interest in STEM careers is critically important for the future of our country, and our world.”
Previously, Lebanon County had no similar competitive science and engineering event. By expanding into a second county, the local competition joins Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to make four regional science and engineering fair in Pennsylvania. It is one of six fairs in the state affiliated with the world’s largest pre-college competition, the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
According to a release, the top two students’ projects from the senior division earn a place at the ISEF to compete with 1,500 of their peers from around the world. The North Museum pays for registration, fees, travel and accommodations for its two champions.
The local science and engineering fair has been a staple of science education in Lancaster County for more than 70 years. According to the release, the event has inspired thousands of young researchers “to create, design, and discover the joys of science and engineering through their projects.” The North Museum has managed the fair in Lancaster County since 2009.
The North Museum offers support to educators to assist their students in finding a project, developing a research plan, and supporting student research, the release notes. Downs said the fair “breaks down barriers between education and industry for students and provides those from underserved and underrepresented populations with a platform of entry, creating connections with both teachers and STEM professionals.” said Downs.
Besides details on the next fair, the North Museum website provides on sponsoring and volunteering at the next event.
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