Bemidji State University is hosting the 60th Northern Minnesota Regional Science Fair on Feb. 23.

The fair will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Memorial Hall 100 on the BSU campus. Exhibits are open to the public at 11:45 a.m., and the awards ceremony begins at 12:45 p.m. in Hagg-Sauer 100.

Approximately 150 students from a 15-county region will compete in the fair with the top projects advancing to the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair, April 7-9, in Minneapolis.

Students submit a variety of projects in all areas of science and engineering. Projects have included macroinvertebrate populations, the design and development of high voltage oceanic wave electrolysis and development of an eco-friendly paver using incinerator ash.

Students can win a variety of awards with the top prize being a trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair held in Pittsburgh.

This year’s keynote address will be given by Dr. Heidi Manning, professor of physics at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and a scientist on NASA’s Mars “Curiosity” rover mission. Manning is spending this academic year working with the Mars Science Laboratory Mission working on the rover’s Sample Analysis on Mars (SAM) instrument suite. SAM measures chemical composition of atmosphere, soil and rock samples.

For more information about the science fair contact Dr. Andrew Hafs, assistant professor of biology, (218) 755-2789, ahafs@bemidjistate.edu; or Diane Morris, lab service specialist in BSU’s Department of Biology, (218) 755-4009, dmorris@bemidjistate.edu.