Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair

For more than seven years, EMC has been a supporting sponsor of the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair (MSSEF). The two-day competition for high school students is held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Projects evaluated by judges in applicable fields

Over 400 competitors—all winners of their regional fairs—showcase projects in astronomy, behavioral science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computers, earth sciences, electronics, engineering, mathematics, physics, and environmental science. Contestants’ projects are evaluated by five judges qualified in the applicable field according to: 1) scientific approach, 2) orderliness of recordkeeping, 3) thoroughness of research and analysis, 4) ingenuity and creativity, and 5) contestant's awareness of scientific principles and methods.

In 2007, students took the "EMC Challenge," an engineering puzzle developed by EMC engineers. The challenge, which drew a lot of attention, involved converting numbers to binary and hexadecimal format and then completing an XOR operation. Hundreds of students submitted their correct answers to be eligible for a drawing for a $200 gift certificate to Best Buy. The winner was LiYuan Wang from Framingham.

EMC awards scholarships

In addition to its sponsorship of the Fair, EMC grants four Science Scholar Awards to competitors with outstanding work in scientific and technical research.

This year WBZ-TV meteorologist Mish Michaels helped Bill Toomey present five EMC awards, each worth $1,000, at the closing ceremony on the second day. EMC funds these scholarships which are awarded to students of the Science Fair's choosing.

2008 EMC award winners:

• Elaina Adamo and Corey Goodwin, Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
• Anna Sheridan, Lexington High School
• Kenneth Cottrell, The Engineering School
• Amber Truhanovitch, Mass. Academy of Math and Science
• Yao Wong, North Quincy High School

EMC would like to thank the employees who volunteered time to be judges in the Massachusetts State Science Fair and the Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Without the participation of volunteer judges, the fairs would not be possible.