EVENT:
Ask-a-Scientist Night allows science students to ask more than 30 UC Irvine researchers about science fair projects and general questions about all fields of science in general.

DATE:
6:30 - 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10

LOCATION:
Science Court, Estancia High School, 2323 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa

CONTACT:
Lidia Yoshida, (949) 824-8185, lyoshida@uci.edu

BACKGROUND:
More than 200 students from Newport-Mesa schools will participate in Ask-a-Scientist Night, which is part of UC Irvine's School of Biological Sciences Science Fair Initiative and supported by the Center for Educational Partnerships, an outreach program that allows students to become scientists and participate in local science fairs. At this event, students will have the opportunity to meet with UCI faculty and post-doctoral and student researchers and talk about a variety of subjects, ranging from advice on science fair projects to insights on what it's like to be a scientist.

In its third year, the Science Fair Initiative, designed by a UCI researcher and dean who are parents of students at Costa Mesa High School, links UCI research scientists, staff and students, high school teachers and local education leaders to create an integrated science fair program at local schools. So far, schools in Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Bell Gardens are participating. As a highlight of the initiative, the Ask-a-Scientist Night has been effective in generating excitement for the sciences among students and is building a bridge between local high schools and UCI.