Ocean Fun Days Science Fair to Focus on Superstorm Sandy

(Sandy Hook, NJ) — Superstorm Sandy is the theme for this year’s Ocean Fun Days  Science Fair scheduled for June 8th at Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook on June 9th.  The competition, open to 3rd through 6th grade students from Monmouth and Ocean Counties has become one of the most popular components of Ocean Fun Days, a family oriented, educational celebration that features exhibits, classes, nature tours, and children’s activities all about New Jersey’s coastal environment. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ocean Fun Days, a cooperative project of founding partner New Jersey Natural Gas, the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, the NJDEP, the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry and NOAA.

Student teams are being challenged this year to create projects related to the science behind Superstorm Sandy. Potential project ideas are as wide-ranging as the storm itself. For instance, teams may consider researching factors that may have influenced Sandy’s intensity such as warmer ocean temperatures or rising sea-levels.  They could also choose to investigate methods and solutions for future protection and preparedness such as how to best protect beaches and other coastal habitats to designing storm-resilient houses and buildings.

According to Rose Higgins, NJSGC’s College and Special Programs Coordinator, “The Science Fair has always been a great way for students to share their knowledge of the environment with the public and this year’s Superstorm Sandy theme is sure to generate and inspire many informative projects. A great incentive is the fact that winning teams will receive guided field trips of Sandy Hook to share with their entire class.”

Teams must have a teacher or adult mentor willing to supervise them who will accept the responsibility of registering the team and organizing transportation of the team and the display to Ocean Fun Days on June 8 at Island Beach State Park (Ocean County Schools) or on June 9 (Monmouth County Schools) at Sandy Hook. First place teams will receive a trophy and a guided NJSGC field trip program for up to fifty students. Second place teams will receive a trophy and a NJSGC field trip program for up to 25 students. Each winning team member and mentor will also receive a special gift bag.

Complete details about the Science Fair including registration forms and entry rules are available at njseagrant.org or at https://njseagrant.org/images/education/ocean-fun-days/ocean-fun-days-2013-science-fair.pdf

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment. NJSGC meets its mission through its innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more information, visit NJSGC on the web at njseagrant.org or on social media at facebook.com/NJSeaGrant and twitter.com/NJSeaGrant.