MEDIA ADVISORY
                                                                    March 28, 2003

Contact:
Terry Hapney, Director of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3112; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 352-5566
E-mail: thapney@shawnee.edu

To news directors, editors, producers, and reporters:

Shawnee District 14 Science Day will be held in Massie Hall at Shawnee State University (SSU) on Saturday, March 29. Shawnee District 14 serves four counties in Ohio--Adams, Lawrence, Pike, and Scioto. Over 200 students in grades five through 12 who have competed in either or both a school science fair or county science fair and received a superior rating will display a project. Approximately 60 judges representing secondary, post-secondary, business, industry, and the community have volunteered to judge the projects.

       8 a.m.          Students set up projects in Massie Hall 
                           in the basement and second  through fourth floors
       9 a.m.          Judging
       12 to 2 p.m.  Projects viewed by public
       3:30 p.m.      Awards Ceremony in the James A. Rhodes Athletic Center, SSU

Students in grades seven through 12 are eligible for first, second, or third place awards in 13 separate science categories in addition to special sponsored awards, such as Governor’s Award, Ohio Water Environment Award, American Water Works Award, and Ohio Soybean Council Award. Many of the awards come with a $50 to $100 savings bond. Those who create top superior projects are eligible to attend State Science Day at the Ohio State University on May 3. Fifth and sixth grade participants are eligible for place awards, but cannot advance to the State Science Day.

Judy Meeker, program manager of tech prep/university outreach services at SSU, serves as the director of the event. For more information, please call the SSU Office of Communications at (740) 351-3112.

Tri-beta is a biology honorary society. Undergraduate college students representing universities from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois will present scientific research papers and posters that will be judged by 10 professionals. SSU students who will present papers are Griffin A. Buffington, Brian M. Chitti, Rachel E. Smalley, Philip Malo, Scott Ryan Oliver, Seth T. Risner, Joyce Patrick, Robbie Huff, and Jason Veith.

       8-8:30 a.m. Welcome, Flohr Lecture Hall, Clark Memorial Library, SSU
       8:30-11 a.m. Oral Presentations
             Cellular/Molecular: Library 205
             Organismal: Library 207
       10:30-noon Poster Presentation, Baxter Lounge, University Center
       1-2 p.m. Special Events
             Planetarium shows, Advanced Technology Center
             Greenhouse tours, east end of Massie Hall
             Life Science Center, Commons 033
             Cadaver Presentations, Massie 310
             Native American Exhibit, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
             Floodwall Murals, Front Street
       2-3 p.m. Guest Speaker
            William J. Mitsch, Flohr Lecture Hall, Library
       3-4 p.m. Awards, Flohr Lecture Hall

The special guest speaker is William J. Mitsch, Ph.D., professor of natural resources and environmental science at the Ohio State University and director of the Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park.

Eugene Burns, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences, is SSU’s contact. For more information, please call the SSU Office of Communications at (740) 351-3112.

Event 3:  Senator George  Voinovich’s Healthcare Roundtable Discussion

Health Sciences Building on the SSU campus
Nursing lab, Room 130
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Martha Rader, Ph.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies at SSU is the University's contact.  

For more information call 351-3112.

# # #