CUL DE SAC:--- The Science Department of St. Maarten Academy's academic campus will be hosting an internal Science Fair on Friday, March 8, 2013 in the school's gym. The exhibition, which starts at 7:25am and ends at 2:15pm, will showcase 25 projects in the 'Science' and 'Technical' categories.
According to Mrs. Suja Pereppadan, head of the Science Department, all science students at the third and fourth form levels of the school are participating in the event. Thirteen of the projects are in the science category and 12, in the technical category. Some of the projects deal with indoor air quality control, alternative energy, DNA research, and traffic issues on St. Maarten.
Pereppadan said each year the Science Fair acts as a platform to motivate students to do more research on topics of interest.
"Being involved in the Science Fair also hones in on their problem-solving, analytical and public speaking skills. Very often it builds the self-confidence of students," stated Pereppadan, who together with technical expert Claude Javoise, have been guiding the young scientists for some weeks now.
Throughout the day on Friday, teachers and students will get an opportunity to view the projects and it is hoped that other students will be motivated by the inventions.
The school has established a criteria for judging the projects in terms of their scientific and/or engineering goals, creativity, thoroughness, skills and clarity of presentation. The judges will include 10 teachers from the school and two senior students who have been involved in external fair in past years.
Pereppadan said she is planning to make the event annual.
The public is invited to view the exhibits from 1:30pm.
