61st Annual Tidewater Regional Science Fair The 61st Annual Tidewater Science Fair will be March 10, 2012 at Old Dominion University's Webb Center. Since 1951, the Tidewater Science Fair has encouraged middle school and high school students from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach to become directly involved in the processes of research and to develop the technical writing skills needed to clearly and effectively communicate the results of their experiments. By encouraging students' interest in the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), we hope to inspire and encourage them to study the "hard subjects" that will prepare them for careers as leaders of the workforce of the future. The Tidewater Science Congress, the organization that stages the Tidewater Science Fair, is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. Since 2005, the TSC has relied entirely on contributions from industry, individuals, and professional organizations to support the Tidewater Science Fair. The AFCEA HR Chapter contributed $2000 to help meet expenses of the 2012 Tidewater Science Fair. Each year, we ask our membership to support the Tidewater Regional Science Fair with a donation to help defray the costs of the event. The AFCEA Hampton Roads Chapter has also been proud to support the TRSF by providing prize money for outstanding projects in areas of interest to AFCEA and by recruiting Chapter members to serve as science fair judges. Private funding has not only sustained the Tidewater Regional Science Fair, it has enabled the event to have a greater impact on science education in the Hampton Roads area. As a Special Awards Sponsor at the Tidewater Science Fair, the AFCEA Hampton Roads Chapter presents $900 in prize money to students in the Junior (Middle School) and Senior (High School) Divisions. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners receive prizes of $200, $150, and $100 respectively. A panel of Chapter members judges projects to select the winners. The Tidewater Science and Engineering Fair is open to all home-schooled, private school, and public school students from seven counties (Accomack, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Northampton, Southampton, and York) and ten cities (Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg) from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach. 2011 Tidewater Regional Science Fair Results: For more information, contact either: John R. Oakes Or Mary Yager |