Young Einsteins Take Centre Stage

Illawarra Mercury

Monday October 27, 2008

By VERONICA APAP

THE region's future science boffins will display their work at tomorrow's Illawarra Coal Regional Science Fair at the University of Wollongong.

The fair is a chance for students from primary schools and high schools throughout the Illawarra to work on their own research projects and present their findings in public.

Previous entrants have included a "moisturising miracles" project by third graders in which they made their own moisturiser and had their subjects compare it to a commercially available cream.

Another tested water quality in the area.

The winners of the fair receive trophies and cash prizes for their efforts.

Dr Melissa Thompson from the university's science faculty said the fair was designed to encourage kids to choose science subjects at school and go on to careers in the industry.

"Young students are naturally interested in science, and by being able to do their own research project they are more likely to choose science subjects at school," she said.

Dr Thompson said in some projects, it was clear the students had help from parents, but that wasn't a bad thing.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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