Elementary Science Expo cancelled due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
For Immediate Release
Contact – Re: Thomas A. Edison Regional Science & Inventor Fairs– Media inquiries to Lee Hughes (lee.hughes@edisonfairs.org) or call 239-337-8315. Additional information is available at edisonfairs.org website and at the https://twitter.com/EdisonFairs page.
The health and safety of students, staff, and community members that attend our regional STEM events is our top priority. We would like to share important guidance associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on March 15, 2020 regarding community events that will impact our abilities to host this year’s Elementary Science Expo.
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. The CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, is recommending that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. As a result of this guidance, Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs (TAERSIF) steering committee members have decided to cancel our 2020 Elementary Science Expo.
We know that students and adults will be disappointed with our decision, but we trust everyone will understand that it was made with the best interests of our population in mind.
We appreciate all of the hard work that Expo finalists, teachers, mentors, and others have accomplished this year and would very much like to still recognize these students with an Elementary Science Expo Certificate. If teachers would like to request certificates for their Expo Finalists, they may complete the modified Student Registration Form that was emailed to them on March 17th. School-based Science Fair Directors will receive a packet with a letter and an Expo Certificate for each Expo Finalist to distribute.
With regards to summer STEM opportunities, we will continue to recruit 4th and 5th grade students for our STEM Buccaneers Camp at Florida SouthWestern (FSW) State College this July. Students interested in this summer research opportunity are encourage to apply at https://edisonfairs.org/stem-buccaneers-application/. The deadline to apply will be extended to Friday, May 1st. Please promote this opportunity with your 4th and 5th grade students.
Thanks again for all that you do for the students of Lee County!