Durango and Fort Lewis College (FLC) take great pride in their respective buildings dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Powerhouse Museum and the FLC Geosciences, Physics and Engineering Hall are wonderful structures, inspiring current and future generations of young scientists. If you have not, visit them.
For 32 of my 33 years in local education I was associated with another local STEM opportunity, the San Juan Basin Regional Science Fair. Started in 1958 and hosted by FLC, our fair continues to serve Southwest Colorado and is one of the oldest regional feeder fairs to the state competition.
Over the years I have served as student sponsor, judging coordinator, fair director and member of the Colorado State Science Fair Advisory Board. Having sponsored over 75 student scientists to the state fair (sponsored and hosted by CSU), I can attest to the powerful impact participation in the science fair process, including visiting college campuses, can have on young minds and their future career choices. Part of the process is recognition of their accomplishments.
Through the years it has been difficult to get the names of fair winners published in the Herald. But what better use of space than to recognize local educational talent? Who has won and who is moving on to state-level STEM competitions is as important, if not more important, than which athletes or sport teams are going to state.
FLC used to sponsor and host the fair but stopped several years ago. It should renew its connection to the fair, if only to offer facilities for gratis and let San Juan BOCES continue to sponsor it. The students were always excited about being on campus.
However nice our local STEM facilities are, they only work when we fill them with young, inquisitive and motivated minds. Those who choose to compete and win should then be recognized. So put these young scientists and their accomplishments in the paper.
Who were the winners at this year’s regional science fair, and who is going to the Colorado State Science Fair? Please publish the results.
Gregg M. Janus
Bayfield
