Science fair

Science and math are disciplines that play critical roles in today's highly technological job market. This is why it's exciting to see the increasing number of students participating in the annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair.

According to Wilma Huffman, administrative assistant with the College of Science and Mathematics at Southeast Missouri State University, 341 students in the area participated in the 2009 science fair and 413 competed in 2010. This year's event brought in just under 450 students.

While overall participation in the science fair is good, only three students from the Cape Girardeau and Jackson districts combined participated in this year's event. By contrast, the Perry County School District brought 70 students to compete in this year's event.

Congratulations to all the science fair participants, especially the two top senior division exhibit winners, Elizabeth Koehler of Saxony Lutheran High School and Victoria Willcut of Puxico, Mo., who will now move on to compete in the international fair in Los Angeles. Serving as alternates should Koehler and Willcut not be able to attend are Aubree Harris and Kyle Lemarr, who both attend Malden High School. Alex Lappe, the top eighth-grade participant and a student at St. Vincent Junior High in Perryville, Mo., will also attend the fair as an observer and as part of the official party from the Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair. A full list of winners will appear in Sunday's Good Times section of the Southeast Missourian.

Congratulations to all the science fair participants and the schools who encouraged participation. Active participation in scholastic competitions such as science fairs are great opportunities for students to cultivate their innovative ideas.