Students from across the state have come up with some pretty impressive science projects this year. In fields from Animal Science to Physics, kids in grades 6 thru 12 are showing off their stuff at the 51st Hawaii State Science & Engineering Fair. Ramsay Wharton went down to the Neal Blaisdell Center to see what the kids have been working on.

More than 350 projects are on display at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. More than 450 students are working hard to put science to the test to answer a multitude of questions about our world.

The public is invited to check out the science projects at the 51st Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair (HSSEF) tonight, Wednesday, April 2, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is FREE. The Awards Ceremony will take place that afternoon from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Pikake Room.

The Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair (HSSEF) is the oldest science education program in
the state and is organized annually by the Hawaii Academy of Science. The Academy is affiliated with
the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). The winners from this event, along with the
winners of the Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Windward and Leeward District Fairs, as well as the winners of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) Science Fair, will represent Hawaii at the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Atlanta, Georgia from May 11-17.

Also on site, NOAA's Pacific Region robot, TERRI. The five-foot tall robot with fully integrated "interactive" options. TERRI can tell stories, perform skits, converse and sing with people. Visitors will be invited to interact with TERRI.

Also available on display is a full size model of the space shuttle cockpit hosted by the Air Force Association.

NOAA's Pacific Region is sponsoring a new "Discover Your World with NOAA" award that will be given to the student and their teacher for the project that demonstrates understanding of environmental science and management. The award will include a one-week expense paid trip to the NOAA facility of their choice. The Institute for Astronomy offers a trip to Mauna Kea for an evening at of stargazing at the telescope. The Stockholm Water Prize also has another competition that offers a free trip.

In addition, there are tuition scholarships from Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii totaling approximately $115,000. There will be more than 250 representatives from various organizations, businesses and educational institutions that will select recipients for their agency awards that total more than $65,000 in cash, prizes and travel. Junior division winners also have opportunities to win trips and prizes. The Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge sponsors students to participate in the national event in Washington, D.C.

Celebrity Guests will be interacting with the students during the judging: Lt. Governor Duke Aiona; Senators Norman Sakamoto and Gordon Trimble; Representatives Kirk Caldwell, Ken Ito, Jon Karamatsu, Michael Magaoay, Joey Manahan, Hermina Morita, Alex Sonson and Gene Ward; Honolulu City Deputy Director Russel Takara; State of Hawaii DOE Assistant Superindendent Daniel Hamada; Board of Education Members Eileen Clark and Kim Iwamoto; University of Hawaii Chancellors Dr. Virginia Hinshaw, Dr. Angela Meixell, Dr. Clyde Sakamoto; Vice Chancellor of Research and Graduate Education Dr. Gary Ostrander; UH Dean of Social Science Richard Dubanoski; UH Dean of Research, College of Education Dr. Donald Young; UH Board of Regents Dr. Ramon de la Pena, Dr. Marlene Hapai and Dr. Kitty Lagareta; Hawaii Pacific University Vice President Dr. John Fleckles: Chaminade University Provost Brother Bernard Ploeger; and Honolulu Advertiser publisher Lee Weber.

There is no entry fee for students participating in the Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair; many donors make this possible. The major donors to this program include the McInerny Foundation, NOAA's Pacific Region, the G.N. Wilcox Trust, Tesoro Hawaii and AccuImaging. The Hawaii Academy of Science sponsors this program in partnership with the College of Education-UH Manoa and the Hawaii Department of Education.

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