More than 200 of the brightest high schoolers from across the state will participate in this year’s Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair April 9-10. The annual event awards medals and cash prizes as well as a chance to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May.
For the fourth year in a row, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine is hosting the event. Participants earn the right to compete in the state fair by qualifying at their regional fairs. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, this will be the second year that the medical school has hosted the state fair virtually. Instead of gathering at Roanoke’s Berglund Center for a day of judging, students will submit video presentations of their projects. The international fair will also be held virtually.
“Last year’s fair happened just as safety measures for COVID-19 were being issued by the governor, and we were able to pivot very quickly to move the fair to a virtual format,” said David Trinkle, associate dean for community and culture. “This year was an easier transition because we had systems already in place.”