Planning underway for Sisters Science Fair

The Sisters Science fair annually draws hundreds of people who crowd into Sisters High School for an afternoon of learning and fun. The event is presented and sponsored by the Sisters Science Club and is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at Sisters High School from noon to 4 p.m.

"This fair is produced by community volunteers who are passionate about science," said Carol Packard, Sisters Science Fair director. "Usually science fairs depend on teachers and invite the public. In Sisters, the public is inviting the teachers!"

This community-wide event appeals to people of all ages to stroll through the high school and observe, ask questions and participate in the many hands-on exhibits.

"In an average year, we have around 800 people of all ages attend part or all of the action-packed four hours," Packard said. "They come from all over Central Oregon."

Students and adult volunteers will be walking around wearing buttons that say "ASK ME! What? How? Why?" At the Science Fair, everyone is encouraged to join in the "magic of science" to learn and have fun.

OMSI, from Portland, will be bringing their new, more sophisticated planetarium with a state-of-the-art projection system. This has been a very popular exhibit along with the Sisters Astronomy Club, Sisters High School astronomy team and the Sun River Observatory.

Healthy living and green energy programs will have displays from greenhouse gardening to organic vegetables in our Seed-To-Table program. A 3-D printer will be there to astonish your imagination with fascinating possibilities and new innovation. Many more exhibitors will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2019 Design, Construct, Compete (DCC) Challenge will feature Balloon Car competitions for the elementary students and a tennis ball launch for middle and high school.

"The DCC Challenges are for all students in Sisters, Black Butte, Tumalo and local private and homeschooled kids. This generates enthusiasm from all ages for at least two months before the challenge," Packard explained. "Families line the bleachers to cheer contestants on. Students are in the spotlight for doing

science!"

The popular SciArt Contest will be held again for all schools. Registration forms and rules for both DCC and SciArt are available for downloading at the Sisters Science Club website at www.sisterssciencefair.org.