Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair Returns

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

The future leaders of local technology will put their knowledge on display at the ninth annual Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair, which will take place March 16-19 at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center.

"The main goal of the fair is to encourage students in grades seven through 12 to pursue their interest in science and technology and to encourage teachers and business mentors to assist them in these pursuits," says Tom O'Malley, president of the Tri-Valley Business Council, one of the organizing sponsors of the event. "The fair also provides an opportunity for the students to receive public recognition for their achievements and to encourage them to enter careers relating to science and engineering."

The fair has shown consistent growth throughout its history. "Each year we've gotten more entries," O'Malley says. "Last year there were 275 projects presented by 350 students from 23 schools from throughout the region."

The top entries in both the individual and team categories will go on to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, held this year in Phoenix. Tri-Valley entries in the International Fair have excelled, winning major awards in six of the last eight years. For example, students from Danville were recognized for their work on two different projects in 2004, one studying the effect of chlorine on the lung function of outdoor swimmers and the second on optimizing the introduction of genetic material into E. coli bacteria using a technique known as electroporation. In 2003, two Amador Valley High students won a $5,000 prize for building an autonomous underwater vehicle.

Business support of the event is important and O'Malley speaks highly of the fair's sponsors. "We feel that the people who are participating want to first of all be involved in education in the community," he explains. "Also, by encouraging more kids to participate in this, you're also helping build your future work force in science and technology." The Tri-Valley Community Fund, based in Hacienda, is one of the Organizing Sponsors of the fair. Other Hacienda sponsors include Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plans, Signature Properties, SBC Communications, and Union Bank/Tanner Insurance Brokers.

For additional information on the event including sponsorship opportunities, contact O'Malley at (925) 890-1892 or via e-mail at tjomalley1@aol.com. For more about the Tri-Valley Business Council, access their web site at www.trivalley.org.

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