Please consider helping at our CoorsTek Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Published: Dec. 3, 2019

For the past two years, the University has been a primary sponsor and the Auraria campus has served as home for the CoorsTek Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Hundreds of middle and high school students from all over the metro area participate in the fair, and the enthusiasm they have for STEAM related disciplines is palpable and contagious. This year the February 28th – March 1st event will depend on 200+ volunteers and judges to be successful, and I’m encouraging everyone in CLAS to mark their calendars and lend a hand.

The most critical need right now is for volunteers to serve on the Scientific Review Committee. Members of the SRC play an essential role in the fair, reviewing all student projects and paperwork to ensure compliance with International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) rules. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in fostering students' understanding of the world of research science (paperwork and all). The commitment for SRC involves a Training Day (January 8th, on campus from 3:00-5:00PM), on-going committee work from January 22nd through February 21st, and then a Review Day (February 8, on campus from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM).

If you want to be involved in a less time consuming role there is a volunteer opportunity for everyone. Set-up and tear-down, safety team, first aid station, photographers and folks to assist photographers, professional development assistants, student advocates, translators, and way finders are all needed. Morning, afternoon, and full-day shifts are available, and lunch will be provided.

And of course no Science Fair can function without judges. Members of our community who are high school graduates or above are encouraged to consider judging, because it’s fun and very rewarding. Judges are expected to commit a full day (typically 10:30 am - 4:30 pm), which involves viewing projects, interviewing students, and working with fellow judges to select our fair winners.

If you do choose to support the fair, remember that through the CU in the Community Program you can do it as paid work time. All faculty and staff at CU Denver are given one half-day of work time (four hours) to participate in a volunteer activity of their choice between December 9, 2019 and March 30, 2020.

If you have any questions I encourage you to contact the DMRSEF Director, Erin Golden, PhD, at (303) 315-1730 or denversciencefair@ucdenver.edu.