Ashley Taylor, a graduate of Parry McCluer High School, explains her project at last year’s Science Fair hosted by the Jackson River Governor’s School at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College to judge Chris Leach, an engineer from Munters in Buena Vista. This year’s JRGS fair will be held on Tuesday, February 19, in Moomaw Center on the DSLCC campus in Clifton Forge. Photo courtesy of Judy Clark

The students and staff of Jackson River Governor’s School at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College will hold a Science Fair on Tuesday, February 19, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Moomaw Center on the DSLCC campus in Clifton Forge. The event is open to the public.

The Science Fair will include displays of more than 30 different science research projects conducted by JRGS students from Alleghany, Bath County, Covington, James River and Parry McCluer High Schools. Students will be available to explain each project and answer questions. All projects will be assessed by a team of judges, and 10 will be selected to advance to a regional science fair to be held in March at Roanoke College.

Kirstin Cooprider, JRGS research instructor, and Eddie Graham, JRGS director, encourage all residents of the DSLCC service region to visit the Science Fair and see the many unique and interesting projects completed by the students. Judges that include engineers from MeadWestvaco in Covington and Munters in Buena Vista are volunteering their time to assist with the event.

DSLCC President Dr. Richard Teaff also extends his invitation to everyone to visit the Science Fair.

“These students,” he said, “are interested in mathematics, science and technology and should be commended for the hard work and creativity shown in these projects. Most of these students will go on to pursue career fields related to these disciplines and it is exciting to see their talents, nurtured by the faculty and the staff who support the JRGS.”

DSLCC partners with local school divisions and the Virginia Department of Education to operate the Governor’s School. Its purpose is to provide challenging educational experiences for students with advanced interests and abilities in mathematics, science and technology. High school students can earn approximately 40 college credits during their junior and senior years at JRGS and gain a prestigious credential that provides an advantage in the very competitive college application/selection process.

For additional information about the science fair or enrollment in the JRGS for 2013-14, contact Graham at egraham@dslcc.edu or (540) 863-2872.

– Submitted by Judy Clark, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College