SCIENCE FIAR EMBODIES CREATIVITY OF STUDENTS

The Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair embodies the ingenuity of today's teenagers.

The fair, which kicks off today, represents a tradition of academic excellence in Southeast Missouri. The 1991 event will feature 231 exhibits created by 245 students in grades seven through 12 throughout Southeast Missouri. Many students are repeat participants, which speaks well of the enduring quality of the program.

The first regional fair dates back to the 1950s. Director Lester Leaton recalled it was the age of Sputnik, when America placed a tremendous emphasis on science and engineering. Today, as America has lagged in productivity and innovation, science and engineering remain critical to our young people and our society.

But the goal of the science fair is not just to prepare scientists. The problem-solving methods students must use can be applied to all areas of life. As society becomes more "high-tech," America's citizenry must also make the transition. The process becomes much easier if people are more receptive to science and technology.

Over the years, the science fair entries have matured from glorified term papers to genuine research. Only those students who really know their work will win. The safeguard is that students must communicate their conclusions through both written and oral expressions to the judges.

The science fair provides an opportunity for even the smallest of schools to compete against the large districts. Oftentimes, a motivated teacher can make a real difference in a district's entries.

The top two regional winners will advance to the international competition in Orlando, Fla., this year. Past local winners have excelled at the international level as well.

The Southeast Missourian is proud of its decades of co-sponsorship of the science fair. In fact, the many businesses that support the fair have contributed to its success over the years. It is one of the region's earliest business and education partnerships, which has continued to thrive over the years.

The science fair entries themselves proclaim student originality. "Video Games: Rotting Brains or Sharpening Reflexes?" posed one Cape seventh-grader. Another Scott City eighth-grader explored "What are the Effects of Barometric Pressure on Cattle's Eating Habits?" A Viburnum senior studied the design and construction of an underground mine fire-fighting robot. The list goes on.

But don't take our word for the students' creativity and wizardry. The science fair exhibits are open to the public, without charge, today from 5-9 p.m.; Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Show Me Center. We feel confident that visitors will go away feeling good about student inspiration and achievement.