This year's Regional Science Fair(s) went off as planned, even with a great many changes in the last month. The most notable were new, nicer but smaller location, and resulting two fairs in one.
There were two sessions this year, one for the middle school in the morning, a second for High School at the regular time. It made for a longer day, but certainly warmer and easier to hear.
Did you ever wonder how to see nerve damage in a mouse? Restart muscle motor reaction in injury patient? Did you need to figure how to use AI to spot AI deepfake (with an app)? How do the Magnetic Brakes work in Roller Coasters? Well, a lot of kids wondered about these and even more, with research, experiments, and real data to back them up, not just Internet opinions and memes. I found it refreshing to see students get their ideas from pop culture, but test them with scientific method and in many cases learn the facts vs believing the hype.
Finally, let me thank all the Nokomis folks who I spotted at the event, and who responded with grace and enthusiasm when things changed under our feet: Jim (AM and PM), Mary (AM and PM), Rich (PM) , Lynne (AM and PM), Phill (AM, PM and Sunday Awards), and Grover (AM). I was happy to see you!
Mark your calendar - the event will be back on last Friday in February, 2027 and back in the larger, single event Coliseum.
