Purdue University Northwest student Anna Zipay, a member of the Delta Sigma Science Club at the North Central campus, recently earned an Indiana Campus Compact Service Engagement Grant that will help fund an April 2 science fair that Delta Sigma is hosting for students in grades 3 through 8 on the North Central campus.
Delta Sigma members are hosting this event to introduce younger students who enjoy science so that they can experience a professional science fair setting.
“The science fair participants will be able to interact with biology students as well as the judges, who are biology and chemistry professors,” explained Zipay, who serves as Delta Sigma vice-president and secretary. “We hope that we can provide the young students participating in this event with a positive and enjoyable experience as well as encouragement, support and advice about their projects and science topics in general.”
Club advisor, Dr. Quinn, associate professor of Biology, suggested that Zipay apply for the grant so that the club could afford to give t-shirts to the young students participating in the fair and the volunteers and judges, and to purchase medals, trophies, gift bags, gift bag items, banners and science kit prizes.
“We wanted to have items that are science-based to share with the students. The Science Fair participants will see demonstrations done by a chemistry professor and two biology students,” said Zipay, “We will have an interactive quiz table where the students can test their knowledge of various science topics. The students will also write on a reflection poster about their favorite part of the event or a science career that they may like to pursue.”
Zipay credited Carol Bailey, business administrator for the North Central Campus, Mary Jane Eisenhauer, associate professor of Early Childhood Education and Campus Compact faculty liaison for the North Central campus and Kristin Sarver, associate director of Sponsored Programs from the Calumet campus, for their assistance in moving the grant through its proper channels.
“The Delta Sigma Science Club sincerely thanks the Indiana Campus Compact grant committee for awarding the club with the Student Community Service Engagement Grant,” said Zipay. “Without the support of this grant, we would not be able to include all planned components of the science fair. Now we will be able to make this a memorable event for the younger students and increase their excitement for science and for potential science careers.”