The Bucks County Science and Research Competition was held Friday and Saturday in the James Work / Rudley Neuman Gymnasium at the Delaware Valley University. The BCSRC is a local science fair, which is a qualifying fair for the Delaware Valley Science Fair that encompasses 19 counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. The Delaware Valley Science Fair is a qualifying event for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which will be hosted in Dallas, Texas this year.
The event occurs every spring with students eagerly preparing since the beginning of the school year. This year around 300 students from 17 schools registered to compete in the following categories: behavioral science, biochemistry, botany, computer science, Earth and space, engineering environmental, mathematics, medicine and health, microbiology, physics, zoology and team competition.
Students in grades 6-12 presented their independent scientific research using trifold posters, research papers and data books. Judges in industry and academia interviewed them and projects were evaluated in many areas including research questions, experimental design, execution of experiment, creativity and presentation.
Awards were earned in each category and some participants advanced to DVSF and ISEF. Last year, thousands of dollars in cash and scholarships were awarded at BCSRC.
Event sponsors include Delaware Valley University, Insaco Inc., Equorum et Plus Foundation, Mideastern Region PSEA/Council for the Advancement of Public School (CAPS), Paletti USA, CB Cares Educational Foundation, Central Bucks Education Association (CBEA), Council Rock Education Association (CREA), Fred Beans Family of Dealerships, Lampire Biological, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Yard Sciences. BCSRC currently seeks additional event and award sponsors, as well as judges with experience in STEM fields.
An open house for the public occurred at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by an awards ceremony.
A $2,000 Mission Scholarship Award for first place is available as well as $1,000 Mission Scholarships for the next place finishers, second, third and honorable mention in the high school level category.
The annual local event, which includes all schools in Bucks County, began 30 years ago. For the last 10 years, it has been coordinated by Terese Grateful, of Council Rock North, and Mark Hayden, of Central Bucks West.
A complete list of winners will be posted on the BCSRC website at https://sites.google.com/site/bcsrchome/home in about a week.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
